What term describes excessive pride or arrogance that results in the protagonist's downfall in a tragedy?

The correct term is hubris, which refers specifically to excessive pride or arrogance that leads a protagonist to disregard warnings or violate moral codes. In many tragedies, this overwhelming self-confidence causes the character to make decisions that ultimately result in their downfall. Hubris is a critical element in understanding the trajectory of tragic heroes in literature, as it often sets in motion their inevitable fate, illustrating the theme of the limitations of human understanding and the consequences of overstepping bounds.

While terms like hamartia and tragic flaw might also relate to elements that contribute to the protagonist's failure, they do not specifically emphasize pride or arrogance like hubris does. Hamartia refers more broadly to a misstep or error in judgment, which may not necessarily stem from pride. Nemesis describes the retributive justice or fate that befalls the hero as a result of their hubris, rather than the hubris itself. Thus, hubris encapsulates the essence of excessive pride leading to downfall distinctly and accurately.