Similarities Between Hamlet And Ophelia
Heroes and Their Hamartia
Hamlet by William Shakespeare is a classic example of a literary tragedy. There are multiple tragic heroes, whose consequences of their actions contribute to a series of catastrophic events. Arthur Miller, in his essay “Tragedy in the Common Man”, states that only those who accept their fate without a fight are flawless and that most of us are in this category. Conversely, Aristotle believed “the hero often has many positive qualities, but also possesses a tragic flaw.” Aristotle’s definition of a tragic hero is more applicable to Hamlet as depicted in the main supporting characters of the play. Ophelia, Gertrude, Laertes and Claudius are all tragic heroes who did not accept their fate, who interfered with their …show more content…
This flaw caused Gertrude to marry Claudius quickly after the death of her husband, without thinking of the consequences. This is what Hamlet means when he says “Frailty, thy name is woman” (I.ii,146) Gertrude’s need to be needed is also shown because she cannot resist Claudius’s desire of her sexually. This is supported when the Ghost states “Ay, the incestuous, the adulterate beast,/With witchcraft of his wit, with treacherous gifts-/O wicked wit and gifts, that have the power/So to seduce!-Won to his shameful lust…” (I.iv.42-45) Instead of Gertrude accepting her fate to be alone as a widow, she is faced with an anagnorisis by recognizing the truth about Claudius, although too late. This is directly contrary to Miller’s idea that a flawless man accepts their fate. Gertrude’s demise was a direct result of her interference with her destiny, poor judgement, her overwhelming need to be needed and blindness to who Claudius really …show more content…
Hamlet. Print
ENG4U: Essay: Tragedy in Hamlet Name: ___________________
|Category / Criteria |Level One |Level Two |Level Three |Level Four |
|Knowledge: Subject-specific content acquired in each grade (knowledge), and the comprehension of its meaning and significance (understanding |
|Knowledge of content |– demonstrates |-demonstrates some |-demonstrates considerable|-demonstrates thorough |
|*identification of elements of tragedy in|limited |knowledge |knowledge of content |knowledge of content |
|context |knowledge of |of content | | |
|*ideas developed and supported with |content | | | |
|insightful use of terminology | | | |
Hamlet by William Shakespeare is a classic example of a literary tragedy. There are multiple tragic heroes, whose consequences of their actions contribute to a series of catastrophic events. Arthur Miller, in his essay “Tragedy in the Common Man”, states that only those who accept their fate without a fight are flawless and that most of us are in this category. Conversely, Aristotle believed “the hero often has many positive qualities, but also possesses a tragic flaw.” Aristotle’s definition of a tragic hero is more applicable to Hamlet as depicted in the main supporting characters of the play. Ophelia, Gertrude, Laertes and Claudius are all tragic heroes who did not accept their fate, who interfered with their …show more content…
This flaw caused Gertrude to marry Claudius quickly after the death of her husband, without thinking of the consequences. This is what Hamlet means when he says “Frailty, thy name is woman” (I.ii,146) Gertrude’s need to be needed is also shown because she cannot resist Claudius’s desire of her sexually. This is supported when the Ghost states “Ay, the incestuous, the adulterate beast,/With witchcraft of his wit, with treacherous gifts-/O wicked wit and gifts, that have the power/So to seduce!-Won to his shameful lust…” (I.iv.42-45) Instead of Gertrude accepting her fate to be alone as a widow, she is faced with an anagnorisis by recognizing the truth about Claudius, although too late. This is directly contrary to Miller’s idea that a flawless man accepts their fate. Gertrude’s demise was a direct result of her interference with her destiny, poor judgement, her overwhelming need to be needed and blindness to who Claudius really …show more content…
Hamlet. Print
ENG4U: Essay: Tragedy in Hamlet Name: ___________________
|Category / Criteria |Level One |Level Two |Level Three |Level Four |
|Knowledge: Subject-specific content acquired in each grade (knowledge), and the comprehension of its meaning and significance (understanding |
|Knowledge of content |– demonstrates |-demonstrates some |-demonstrates considerable|-demonstrates thorough |
|*identification of elements of tragedy in|limited |knowledge |knowledge of content |knowledge of content |
|context |knowledge of |of content | | |
|*ideas developed and supported with |content | | | |
|insightful use of terminology | | | |