Hamlet as a Tragic Hero
Webster's dictionary defines tragedy as, "a serious drama typically describing a conflict between the protagonist and a superior force (such as destiny) and having a sorrowful or disastrous conclusion that excites pity or terror." A tragic hero, therefore, is the character who experiences such a conflict and suffers catastrophically as a result of his choices and related actions. The character of Hamlet is a clear representation of Shakespeare's tragic hero, as he possesses all the necessary characteristics of such a hero. Hamlet is seen as a tragic hero as he has doomed others because of a serious error in judgment, also Hamlet is responsible for his own fate and Hamlet has been endowed with a tragic flaw. These character traits and distinctiveness make Hamlet a Tragic Hero.
Firstly, one of the defining traits of a tragic hero is that he or she is responsible for their own fate. Hamlet has chosen to believe the Ghost and attempt to prove that Claudius did, in fact, murder King Hamlet. Hamlet has chosen to invite danger and he has chosen to put on an antic disposition. To begin, Hamlet was not totally convinced about what the Ghost had described to him so Hamlet took it upon himself to prove Claudius's guilt. For example, "I'll have these players play something like the murder of my father before mine uncle: I'll observe his looks; I'll tent him to the quick; if he but the blench, I know my coarse. The spirit that I have seen may be the devil: and the devil hath power to assume a pleasing shape / The play's the thing wherein I'll catch the conscience of the king." (Hamlet II.ii 592-603) Hamlet schemes to determine Claudius's guilt through the play. Claudius views the play and becomes very uncomfortable with the situation to the point of stopping the play and leaving. This confirms Claudius's guilt to Hamlet, and
Hamlet again sets out to avenge his father's death. Hamlet could have prevented much suffering by exacting his revenge earlier on in the play but
Firstly, one of the defining traits of a tragic hero is that he or she is responsible for their own fate. Hamlet has chosen to believe the Ghost and attempt to prove that Claudius did, in fact, murder King Hamlet. Hamlet has chosen to invite danger and he has chosen to put on an antic disposition. To begin, Hamlet was not totally convinced about what the Ghost had described to him so Hamlet took it upon himself to prove Claudius's guilt. For example, "I'll have these players play something like the murder of my father before mine uncle: I'll observe his looks; I'll tent him to the quick; if he but the blench, I know my coarse. The spirit that I have seen may be the devil: and the devil hath power to assume a pleasing shape / The play's the thing wherein I'll catch the conscience of the king." (Hamlet II.ii 592-603) Hamlet schemes to determine Claudius's guilt through the play. Claudius views the play and becomes very uncomfortable with the situation to the point of stopping the play and leaving. This confirms Claudius's guilt to Hamlet, and
Hamlet again sets out to avenge his father's death. Hamlet could have prevented much suffering by exacting his revenge earlier on in the play but