Born and raised in London, Charlie Chaplin was a genius of cinematic comedy but also a tragic hero. Chaplin spent his childhood in an orphanage while his father was anonymous and his mother was mentally ill. Unusual circumstances just called for humor. With eccentricity, Charlie Chaplin could participate in a show, first dancing and then acting. Having moved to America as a child to pursue an acting career, Chaplin took the film industry by storm. Charlie Chaplin has certainly been praised for having produced glorious silent films, differentiating himself from orthodox political views, and for having come to terms with the events he faced, presenting himself as the textbook example of a tragic hero. Heroism means having valor, courage and audacity. Tragedy is calamity, bad luck and heartbreak. A tragic hero is a virtuous character destined for ruin. Charlie Chaplin was a righteous soul, and at the height of his fame, Charlie Chaplin was the star of silent films and "gained immediate success with the American public" (Charlie Overview). Chaplin's success, which occurred in a short period of time, prompted companies to start bidding for his service. His films of the 1930s and 1940s were the true jewels of his career (World). Practically on top of the world, everyone loved Charlie Chaplin. He was the “American foreigner.” Society swallowed everything he said and did. At the time, Chaplin was the most respected and supportive man. Within half a decade, Chaplin became the most famous movie celebrity and during the same year "the moviegoers a case of what observers called chaplinite” (Maland). He was an idol for citizens and had a high reputation in the eyes of the critics. Chaplin brought humor and creativity back to a country under pressure. His films gained popularity .center of paper...women and children the forms and characteristics of a tragic hero, it is clear that Charlie Chaplin is the perfect example. Works Cited "Charlie Chaplin: Overview of His Life." Charlie Chaplin: Official Site, May 20, 2014. "Charlie Chaplin, nd Web" "Charlie Chaplin." UXL Biographies. Detroit: U*X*L, 2003. Student Resources in Context. May 22, 2014. Maland, Charles J. "National American Biography: Chaplin, Charlie." American online: Chaplin, Charlie. Oxford University Press, 2003. Web. 22 May 2014. Turk, Ruth. Charlie Chaplin: the genius of the silent screen. Minneapolis: Lerner Publications, 2000. Print. "World Biography". Biography of Charlie Chaplin. Np, nd Web. May 22 2014.