The Greek word, hamartia, is often shown to be etymologically (study of word origins) as being related to archery. It means, "to miss the mark." In literature, hamartia refers to a person's central character flaw or a mistake he made, perhaps even though he was acting with the best of intentions. Therefore, to miss the mark means to fall short of being your very best, especially when one falls tragically short of the mark.
For Oedipus, especially as portrayed in Sophocles' play, Oedipus Rex, the problem with his character was also one of his greatest traits: He had great personal pride. It was his pride that allowed him to overcome all of his challenges in life. If he had not been prideful and confident, he might not have taken on the Sphinx and answered her riddle. He also likely would not have taken on the problem of the plague in Thebes.
Unfortunately for Oedipus, though, he had a certain kind of pride called "hubris." Hubris takes one into arrogance and short-sightedness (figuratively, but in Oedipus' case - at least eventually - it was literal). Arrogance causes rash behavior. One famous way of putting this is that "Discretion is the better part of valor." Do not not bull your way forward without thinking and call it bravery. Sometimes it is just stubbornness.
Oedipus paid the price for his bull-headedness, but he was still heroic. Why? Because at least he aimed.
Many people miss the mark because they never really identify targets at all. They simply wander into life hoping they will find meaning or meaning will find them. People without goals are like archers without targets, just randomly firing out into space, perhaps finding targets of value, perhaps not. If one does not identify his central mission in life, determine what goals he hopes to achieve, contemplate what he values and what virtues are most likely to bring him to his dreams, the likelihood of hitting the target becomes small.
"Failing to prepare is preparing to fail."
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