In the play M. Butterfly, is Rene Gallimard a tragic hero or a delusional fool?

Gallimard's character does not really fit into the classic
definition of the tragic hero. The classic tragic hero is one who comes from noble beginnings, is
led astray by a tragic flaw in his/her character, and in the end realizes the error of his/her
ways. Gallimard does not come from noble beginnings--he is a French diplomat, but he fails to
rise to the occasion to do good things in this position. Gallimard himself admits that growing up
he was not an impressive person, and he had trouble developing relationships with others.
Gallimard does suffer a tragic flaw: his need for acceptance and power drive him to fall prey to
the illusion that Song paints of being the perfect "Oriental" woman. In the end, Gallimard
understands that he has been used by Song to get information; however, he still feels that he has
been betrayed and that he truly loved Song for the person whom he believed (s)he was. Gallimard
does not really see himself at fault in any way. So Gallimard does not fit the definition of the
tragic hero.