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Moral weakness

Concept
Pronunciation

Understanding ARPABET Pronunciation

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The pronunciation guide uses the ARPABET phonetic system—the same system used in speech recognition and text-to-speech applications.

Vowel Examples:
AE1 = cat, bat
EH1 = bed, head
IY1 = see, me
OW1 = go, boat
UW1 = boot, do
Stress Numbers:
0 = no stress (unstressed)
1 = primary stress (loud)
2 = secondary stress (medium)
Example:
AH0 TH IY1 N AH0
= a-THEE-na (Athena)

The stressed syllable (marked with 1) is pronounced louder and clearer than others.

Quick Definition

A deficiency in ethical character that influences poor decisions or behavior

Detailed Definition
Moral weakness in poetry refers to a character’s or speaker’s ethical failing—such as cowardice, vanity, or betrayal—that drives the poem’s conflict or introspection; unlike overt villainy, it often manifests as internal struggle, revealing the complexities of human frailty and the consequences of compromised integrity.
Example
Example in poetry:
Macbeth’s vaulting ambition overrides moral restraint; Othello’s susceptibility to jealousy undermines his judgment; King Lear’s inability to distinguish flattery from love; Achilles’ pride prevents reconciliation until it’s too late
Additional Notes
Moral weakness in poetic characters reflects ethical frailty that influences plot or theme; distinct from tragic flaw in that it may not lead to downfall but reveals human complexity.
Also Known As
Ethical frailty spiritual vulnerability conscience flaw inner moral lapse Hamartia
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