Hamlet as a Tragic Hero
Hamlet as a Tragic Hero
By, Kassidy Neudorf
What is a tragic hero? Well, according to most critiques on the Internet, it is simply a “protagonist of a tragedy”. In Shakespeare’s Hamlet, Hamlet is the Tragic Hero. Most tragic heroes contain a tragic flaw, so what tragic flaw of Hamlet makes him the tragic hero of this story? It may be his lack of motivation to take action; in other words, procrastination. Or how he does not have a concept of balance between reality itself and contemplation over it. It could also be Hamlet’s inability to think quickly and lightly that contributes to his tragic flaw(s). Hamlet has no concept of a balance between reality itself and contemplation over it. He is and becomes more and more trapped behind his own thoughts. The longer he ponders them, the more ornamental they become, the deeper absorbed in them and the further he gets from attachment to them or their associated realities. This aspect of Hamlet’s character has contributed to his “togetherness” in that it has opened the doors for him to have such a vibrant imagination and fascination for life in general. It is thusly that Shakespeare created the tragic Hamlet, firstly, he formed a great thinker, secondly, he placed his character in a position where the characteristics that are most opposite of Hamlet’s nature – thinking quickly and lightly are required. Hamlet’s inability to avenge his fathers death was a challenge that Hamlet accepted. As the play progresses, however, Hamlet finds it difficult to execute such a murderous task. To delay killing Claudius, he plans to act crazy, which forced Claudius to send him to England. Simply said, Hamlet’s inability to act and avenge his father’s death has led him, as well as others, to their graves. It is Hamlet and his flaws that result in this play being a tragedy. Much of the play has a very isolated feeling to it. The isolation of Hamlet’s madness, that he alone has the burden of removing Claudius, and the very
By, Kassidy Neudorf
What is a tragic hero? Well, according to most critiques on the Internet, it is simply a “protagonist of a tragedy”. In Shakespeare’s Hamlet, Hamlet is the Tragic Hero. Most tragic heroes contain a tragic flaw, so what tragic flaw of Hamlet makes him the tragic hero of this story? It may be his lack of motivation to take action; in other words, procrastination. Or how he does not have a concept of balance between reality itself and contemplation over it. It could also be Hamlet’s inability to think quickly and lightly that contributes to his tragic flaw(s). Hamlet has no concept of a balance between reality itself and contemplation over it. He is and becomes more and more trapped behind his own thoughts. The longer he ponders them, the more ornamental they become, the deeper absorbed in them and the further he gets from attachment to them or their associated realities. This aspect of Hamlet’s character has contributed to his “togetherness” in that it has opened the doors for him to have such a vibrant imagination and fascination for life in general. It is thusly that Shakespeare created the tragic Hamlet, firstly, he formed a great thinker, secondly, he placed his character in a position where the characteristics that are most opposite of Hamlet’s nature – thinking quickly and lightly are required. Hamlet’s inability to avenge his fathers death was a challenge that Hamlet accepted. As the play progresses, however, Hamlet finds it difficult to execute such a murderous task. To delay killing Claudius, he plans to act crazy, which forced Claudius to send him to England. Simply said, Hamlet’s inability to act and avenge his father’s death has led him, as well as others, to their graves. It is Hamlet and his flaws that result in this play being a tragedy. Much of the play has a very isolated feeling to it. The isolation of Hamlet’s madness, that he alone has the burden of removing Claudius, and the very