Similarities Between Hamlet And Antigone

Although written by different authors, the plays Hamlet and Antigone share similar plots and outcomes. This is because they both contain what are considered essential qualities of tragedy. Both Hamlet and Antigone explore tragedy through the lives and interaction of many characters. Among the characters in both stories, the most tragic is Hamlet. Even before the starting point of the story, we come to find out that Hamlet has already suffered a major tragedy in his life: his father dying. In addition, his mother remarried quickly after her late husband's death, to his own brother and Hamlet’s uncle, Claudius. This alone helps drive the story and opens Hamlet up to even more suffering. Hamlet’s tragedy can be expressed and depicted through essential tragic qualities such as hamartia, anagnorisis, and catharsis.
Hamlet’s biggest hamartia, or fatal flaw, is his indecisiveness.
Claudius had already proved his deeds early in the story through his reactions towards a murder scene very closely and intentionally related to that of the late King Hamlet. (citation) Despite observing this action and wanting to act on his revenge plan, Hamlet hesitates once he catches Claudius praying. He does this in fear that he will not go to heaven if he kills Claudius then, not because he suddenly does not believe he killed his father. However, after this point on, his indecisiveness grows stronger, and he starts questioning the words of his father’s ghost. He felt as if he already had proof, yet at the same time not enough. Had he killed him then, Hamlet would have saved the lives of many innocent people, including those he cares about deeply and even his own. Although, without this hamartia, Hamlet would have never experienced a very important quality of tragedy, which is the moment of realization, or
anagnorisis.
Hamlet experiences anagnorisis while fencing with Laertes. Although Hamlet is trying to prove the words of his father’s ghost to be true, he feels as if he has no solid evidence to both give others proof and to give him enough courage to properly avenge his father. Throughout the play, the audience is waiting for Hamlet to discover the truth, and this moment arrives when his mother dies from drinking from the cup Claudius poured for him. This is when Hamlet finally confirms the truth. Along with both Gertrude, his mother, and Laertes’ dying words confirming the actions of Claudius, Hamlet finally takes action. Initially, he had a hard time trusting the words of the ghost, but upon hearing the same accusations from living people, Hamlet gains confidence. During this moment is when the audience experiences the most relief, but it is quickly dissolved by a poisoned blade to Hamlet’s skin.
Catharsis is very evident during the planning of Hamlet’s death. As the audience gets to watch how Hamlet is trying to kill his father’s murderer, and ultimately deliver a happy ending to the tragedy that has been going on, seeing Claudius instead try to kill prince Hamlet as well, makes the audience sympathize with Hamlet even more. Once Hamlet confirms his suspicions, all his pent up emotions are released into his following actions. He does get his revenge, but not at a small cost. After doing all that work just to make good of his uncle’s horrible actions, Hamlet does not deserve to die in vain by the same manner that his father was killed.
In conclusion, we can observe Hamlet’s tragedy through many essential qualities of the term itself, such as hamartia, anagnorisis, and catharsis. Hamlet proves his status of being the most tragic character through his major fall throughout the story.