Hamlet As A Tragic Hero Essay

Hamlet: A Tragic Hero William Shakespeare is known through the ages as a brilliant playwright. He has written several comedies and tragedies that people have loved through decades. Shakespeare's plays have been interpreted in many different ways and have been debated on which interpretation is correct. Some of these included even the basis of the character's persona. In the Shakespearean tragedy Hamlet, the main protagonist, Prince Hamlet, is fated by the ghost of his late father that, because of his tragic flaw of procrastination, leads him to his self–destruction which deems him a tragic hero. For characters to be considered a tragic hero, they must first be destined by the gods or any other form of the supernatural. In the first act of Hamlet, the Ghost, who is believed to be the late King Hamlet, appears to his son, Prince Hamlet, to destine him to seek revenge for the late king's death. In order for the Prince to do this, he must kill his father's brother and now king, Claudius, who killed King Hamlet in his sleep. Even though some of the characters who saw the ghost are not even sure that this is truly the ghost of King Hamlet, Hamlet believes that it is his father due to the fact that the ghost was wearing what appeared to be the King's royal armor. Hamlet feels the need to follow what the ghost has set before him to do because of his relationship and loyalty to his father. This strong bond or loyalty he had for his father will be what drives the Prince to Get

Hamlet, written by Shakespeare, is a well known tragedy. It is coined a tragedy because the entire story line is dramatic and almost every character dies by being poisoned, stabbed, or suicide. Prince Hamlet finds out tragic news of his father's death in the beginning of Hamlet. This depressing news causes Prince Hamlet to spiral downhill into a rather crazy person. The play then turns into a cycle of tragic, somewhat ironic deaths. Hamlet is ultimately the creator of the problem which ends in the death of the characters. Hamlet is a tragic hero because he is a very noble man, he has a tragic flaw, and his fall is partially his own fault. Hamlet is a noble man. He may not know it, but he is respected by a majority of the people in Denmark. This respect aids in his popularity. It is seen in the play that Hamlet is popular, especially in Denmark. The King says, in reference to Hamlet, "He's loved of the distracted multitude" (4.3.4). This quote supports that Hamlet is loved, which strengthens the idea of him being a noble man. Hamlet was also born into nobility by being the son of the King. Hamlet loved his father so much and was extremely loyal to him even after his death. He wanted things right in Denmark again. Hamlet states, "Haste me to know't, that I, with wings as swift / As mediation or the thoughts of love, / May sweep to my revenge" (1.5.29–31). This relates to Hamlet wanting to avenge his father's death. It also displays Hamlet being loyal, which is a

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Why Is Hamlet Considered to be a Tragic Hero?

Who is Hamlet? A hero, but his life is full of unprecedented events that not many people can recover from. In the play written by William Shakespeare in 1609, Hamlet tells the story of our protagonist, Hamlet, as he goes through the struggles of his own life. After dealing with his father's death and mother's betrayal, Hamlet soon discovers what caused the death of his late father. Hamlet attempts to plot his revenge while dealing with many forms self–struggle. In Hamlet, William Shakespeare portrays, Hamlet as a tragic hero because of his thought process, misfortune, and his very own decisions. One thing to note is Hamlet's thought process, the way he thinks and acts in this dramatic play. Hamlet is torn apart when he learns the death of his father was a murder by his very own uncle, the new king, Claudius. Hamlet is very distraught and tries to hide his emotions somewhat by stating "But I have that within, which passeth show, these but the trappings and the suits of woe" (Act 1, Sn. 2 ln. 85–86). Also, Hamlet is faced with many challenges throughout the play and considers ending his life, thinking he cannot deal with the obstacles life has thrown at him. He would rather off himself, making him think it would be better for everyone else. This is where, perhaps, one of the most famous soliloquies comes into place. Hamlet states "To be, or not to be. " (Act.3 Sn.1 ln. 57) Meaning that he could continue with the struggles of life Get

Tragic Hero: Hamlet

Tragic Hero: Hamlet What is a tragic hero? In order to understand this question, it is vital to acknowledge the meaning of tragedy. Tragedy is described in the oxford online dictionary as "A play dealing with tragic events and having and unhappy ending, especially one concerning the downfall of the main character" illustrates the story of Hamlet in a very brief sentence. The Greek philosopher Aristotle was of the opinion that heroes are the men who could see the fundamental basis of their own downfalls ("Tragic Hero as defined by Aristotle"). In simple words, tragic hero is the protagonist and supreme influence of tragic drama. There are six key elements that qualifies Hamlet as a tragic hero: hamartia, hubris, nemesis, peripeteia, anagnorisis,

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Hamlet As A Tragic Hero

A tragic hero is defined as the protagonist and driving force of a tragic drama. In Shakespeare's tragedy Hamlet, Hamlet's father,the king,was killed by Hamlet's uncle Claudius, the brother of Hamlet's father. Claudius killed Hamlet's father because he wanted to be the king. Claudius is also marrying Hamlet's mother, Gertrude, who is also the queen. The ghost of Hamlet's father tells Hamlet he was murdered by Claudius, but Hamlet doesn't know what to do. Ideas' that will be addressed in this essay are: what makes hamlet a tragic hero, how does Hamlet relates to Aristotle's definition of a tragic hero. and Hamlet's tragic demise. Hamlet is a tragic hero, which is evident throughout Shakespeare's tragedy Hamlet because he has a tragic flaw that leads to his demise. Hamlet fits the characteristic of a tragic hero because tragic heroes typically have tragic flaws that lead to their downfall, Hamlet's Tragic flaw is his "constant contemplation and brooding" (literarydevices.net) Hamlet's contemplation leads him to opt out of killing Claudius when he had the chance, and thus lead himself to his own downfall. A tragic hero also evokes emotions in the audience; for example, "By the end, Hamlet also falls in a bloodbath, touching the hearts of the audience by highlighting the most primal fear, death" (literarydevices.net). It evokes these feelings because we all fear death, death is a scary thing because it is unknown what happens after death."Nemesis: a punishment that the

A tragedy is a drama or literary piece of work in which the main characters is brought to ruin or suffers extreme sorrow most likely at the consequences of a tragic flaw or moral weakness and also a inability to suffer the unfavourable circumstances. The protagonist and driving force of a tragic drama is known as a tragic hero. In order for a protagonist to qualify as a tragic hero certain elements must be met regarding the character. The tragic hero must be of a noble birth entailing that the protagonist has a higher social status that the average person. The protagonist must go from a state of extreme high to a state of extreme low. The protagonist must go through a change and achieve enlightenment. The tragic hero must have a fatal character flaw which will result in his undoing. The tragic hero must have an emotional climax causing emotional change. The finally element needed to be a tragic hero is that the protagonist must die. Hamlet fits the definition of a tragic hero because Hamlet has a moment of change about himself during the play, he is a person of nobility who...show more content... Hamlet because of his social class is obviously nobility but also because Hamlet is extremely well loved among his family and citizens of the kingdom "He's loved of the distracted multitude" (IV.iii, 4). Hamlet is also loyal to his father and is determined to set right the state of Denmark. The rise of fall of Hamlet is evident thought the play but there is no distinct or dramatic downfall but a slow breakdown of Hamlet over time. Hamlet's reversal of fortunes starts to happen when he has the perfect opportunity to kill Claudius and avenge his father's murder. Hamlet decides not to kill his uncle and this sets his downfall, from this point forward Claudius is always one step ahead of Hamlet. The final stage of Hamlets downfall is his death which symbolizes his lowest point and also this qualifies his tragic hero because his journey from a point of high to low is Get more content

Not All Heroes Wear Capes Many view Hamlet, the main character, in Shakespeare's tragedy Hamlet as a hero. He portrays characteristics that prove to the reader that he does possess heroic qualities. Although, it is a struggle for him throughout the play, but as he goes through life and learns new ways of coping things, he develops new characteristics that he didn't have in the beginning. Hamlet learns to overcome his anxiety, depression, and anger. In the end, he learns how to be calm and collected. The way Hamlet learns how to handle internal conflicts throughout the play, shows the readers a realistic view of the difficult encounters one may have when learning to cope with different issues. Hamlet is arguably one of the greatest dramatic characters to be created. As he learns of his father'sdeath, he starts to over analyze ever little detail causing him to create scenarios in his mind that give me anxiety. His mother notices his anger, but Hamlet makes it known that the distress he is feeling over–powers his actions. He says, "Together with all the forms, moods, shapes of grief... for they are the actions that a man might play; but I have that within which passes show, these but the trappings and the suits of woe" (ACT I, ii). He is angry at his mother because she remarried that same man that killed his father. Hamlet starts to see his father's ghost and she cannot. She then starts to tell Hamlet how he has offended his father, as in Claudius. When Hamlet is defending

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Hamlet as a Tragic Hero

William Shakespeare, the greatest playwright of the English language, wrote a total of 37 plays in his lifetime, all of which can be categorized under tragedy, comedy, or history. The Tragedy of Hamlet, Shakespeare's most popular and greatest tragedy, displays his genius as a playwright, as literary critics and academic commentators have found an unusual number of themes and literary techniques present in Hamlet. Hamlet concerns the murder of the king of Denmark and the murdered king's son's quest for revenge. Its main character, Hamlet, possesses a tragic flaw which obstructs his desire for revenge and ultimately brings about his death. This tragic flaw makes him atragic hero, a character who is destroyed ...show more content...

Next, Hamlet's flaw of irresolution is shown after his third soliloquy, the famed "To be or not to beВ…" lines. Hamlet directly identifies his own tragic flaw, remarking of his own inability to act. Hamlet, unsure whether or not the his uncle Claudius was responsible for his father's murder, schemes to have The Murder of Gonzago presented to the royal court, with a few minor changes, so its contents would closely resemble the circumstances behind the murder. Reflecting on his own guilt, he talks of death, referring to it as the undiscovered country, and then continues by riddling his own feelings. He declares "conscience does make cowards of us all" and that the natural ruddy complexion of one intent, or resolute, on an action is "sicklied" over with the "pale cast of thought". This makes an individual second guess his own actions and often times take no action at all, due to his own irresolution. These statements not only applied to what had occur ed up to that point but also foreshadowed what was to occur .

Next, Hamlet's flaw of irresolution is shown during his fourth soliloquy.

Fortinbras, the Prince of Norway, and his army have passed by Hamlet and his escorts. Hamlet sees the action Fortinbras was taking in fighting and then examines Fortinbras's efforts and bravery in an attempt to rekindle his own desire for revenge against Claudius for his father's death.

Hamlet remarks how everything around him attempts to "spur my

Has one ever wanted to revenge,something deeply important to them? Does one wonders if they would be perceived as a hero if they revenge? Well In the novel Hamlet the author, William Shakespeare creates tragic events where his main character Hamlet has to overcome to achieve his goal of killing his evil uncle Claudius. "In life one has to do bad thing in order to be a hero,the hero also has to make sacrifices in order to be successful" (John Barrowman). In Shakespeare Hamlet, should hamlet be considered a tragic hero judging by him following the hero steps. Shakespeare proves that Hamlet was a tragic hero because he went through three of the steps from meeting with a mentor,approach and the resurrection. The first step that Hamlet took was meeting with a mentor.The mentor that hamlet met was his father's Ghost.The Ghost tells him that he has been murdered by Claudius Hamlet 's uncle by poison. As of all mentor or an important figure in a hero's life,they tell the hero to do some task that will benefit them and save others. For Hamlet the ghost tells him he wants him to revenge his father's death and make things right again in Denmark (Hamlet). Shakespeare made the character Hamlet accept the challenge and become a hero by trying to avenge his father 's death. The Articlemyriad said that Hamlet is a tragic hero because he had the noblest motivation to punish his mentor's killer for what they did to him (Nicole Smith). Hamlet tells the audience that he will do it

"A tragic flaw is an error or defect in the tragic hero that leads to his downfall." (http://www.bedfordstmartins.com/literature/bedlit/glossary_t.htm)

In the history of literature, if the question of who was the most indecisive character was brought up, Hamlet would be a prime candidate. Hamlet had numerous chances to reap revenge for his father's death but was only able to follow through after the accidental murder of his mother.Hamlet 's inability to make a decision ultimately leads to his demise, and for that is his tragic flaw.

What makes a tragic hero? Dr. Peter Smith, Associate Professor of English at Kentucky State University, broke the archetypical characteristics of a tragic hero down into six groups. Of the six, four will...show more content...

Hamlet's tragic flaw is his inability to act. We are first introduced to this flaw in Act I Scene iv through Act I Scene v. Hamlet encounters the apparition that appears to be his father in scene iv and agrees with Horatio and Marcellus that it does resemble the late king. When he is beckoned to follow the spirit, he does so only after questioning the spirit's intent: "Be though a spirit of health or goblin damn'd/ Bring with thee airs from heaven or blasts from hell/ Be thy intents wicked or charitable..." (Clark, 1014) He wonders if the spirit is truly his father or only the devil trying to trick him. In scene v the spirit tells him that he was murdered by his brother and that Hamlet must "revenge his [father's] foul and most unnatural murder." (Clark, 1015) Hamlet does not jump to conclusions but rather decides that he must prove his uncle's guilt by having a play performed (Act III Scene ii) that emulates what may have happened when his father was killed. Claudius' reaction will uncover his guilt or innocence. In the course of the play Claudius calls for the play to be stopped and leaves abruptly. Hamlet takes this to be a sign of guilt. In Act III Scene iii, Hamlet encounters his uncle alone, in his room, praying. As he prepares to kill his uncle, he realizes killing him while in prayer will save his soul and send him to heaven. His father was not able to repent before his death and neither should his uncle. Instead, he

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The tragedy of Hamlet, Shakespeare's most popular and greatest tragedy, presents his genius as a playwright and includes many numbers of themes and literary techniques. In all tragedies, the main character, called a tragic hero, suffers and usually dies at the end. Prince Hamlet is a model example of a Shakespearean tragic hero. Every tragedy must have a tragic hero. A tragic hero must own many good traits, but has a flaw that ultimately leads to his downfall. If not for this tragic flaw, the hero would be able to survive at the end of the play. A tragic hero must have free will and also have the characteristics of being brave and noble. In addition, the audience must feel some sympathy for the tragic hero. In Hamlet, the play concerns...show more content...

Hamlet has many noble and brave characteristics, this is one of the reasons he is a tragic hero. Hamlet's promise to avenge his father's death makes him noble because loyalty is part of chivalry, one of the main aspects of being noble. Also, Hamlet is very brave. When he found out that he was going to be executed, he had to make a choice to save himself or kill Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to avenge his father, because the risk he took could cause him to be actually executed. When the pirates attacked the ship, he escaped to carry out his promise that he made to his father's ghost. Hamlet also has free will and is very intelligent. A tragic hero must have free will or his fate would be decided for him, and his death could be avoided. He feigns madness to meet more information about Claudius and not give away his ulterior motive. "I am but mad north–north–west. When the wind is southerly, I know a hawk from a handsaw" (Shakespeare 2.2 402). This quote signifies that he is only mad at certain times, the rest of the time he know what he is doing. Also he uses free will when he saw Claudius praying. He could have slain him then and there, but if he did that Claudius could have a chance of going to Heaven; Hamlet did not want to send his nemesis somewhere where he could be care–free and guilt free.

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The Tragedy Of A Hero

What, by definition, is a tragic hero? Is this someone who saves a city in calamity? Or perhaps a character we see off comics? the term "Tragic Hero" defined by a great man named Aristotle "a tragic hero" is a literary device used to define a character who makes a poor judgement error that inevitably leads to his/her destruction". The main character in the play, "Hamlet" is a tragic hero. His thoughts and actions are controlled by his father's words; "foul and most unnatural murder". Hamlet's final goal was to avenge his father death, along the way there was plenty of incidents where actions had greatly affected himself and others around him, for example; while Hamlet was with his mother's chamber, he heard a sudden noise that makes him stab the curtain, then to reveal, Polonius was behind the curtain. After many instances, Hamlet's decisions and actions led to his tragic fatal ending.

What makes Hamlet a tragic hero, is the fact that he is described as a man with great potential. He had a love interest, his life seemed to be on the verge of success but, when Hamlet saw his father that night asking him to punish his murderer, his character development potential plummeted. Hamlet's duty to avenge his father death did not go as he had planned. On his path to revenge, he faced many obstacles such as depression, the corruption of his court and his suicidal thoughts that plagued his mind. Hamlet, then consumed by the words of his father, then began to develop hatred towards those closest to him. This causes a series of events such as productions, murdered and a tragic heartbreak. Hamlet is said to be a prime candidate for a tragic hero; he fits the criteria. His actions throughout the course of the play, his once love Ophelia whom Hamlet her heart then, (what do you mean by this?) committed suicide in the mists of all this, Hamlet had one goal to kill Claudius and no one will get in his way.

Hamlet's biggest advantage, his plan to kill Claudius, led to him revealing the true identity of Claudius to the entire court. The tragic downfall of Hamlet is that in exploiting Claudius, he then planned to murder him only to find Claudius praying for his deeds when he says (Act 3, scene 3 line 37)