Hamlet vs Sr Thomas More.

Scholarly critics around the world regard William Shakespeare's "Hamlet" and Robert Bolt's "A man for all seasons", as one of the greatest tragedies of all time. Although the two tragedies are set in different times and places, and are written in completely different styles, they both describe the stories of two great men, who are faced with moral dilemmas that will determine the outcomes of their lives. Both, Hamlet and Sir Thomas More (the protagonists of the two tragedies) are pictured like soldiers that are thrown into a war where they have to do some things they rather would avoid doing.

A Tragic Hero is one (usually a person of noble blood) who brings about his own downfall through a flaw in his character. Although in the beginning of the play, he seems quite happy and quite sane, as the play's plot unfolds, we find that the hero possesses a flaw that is the cause of the protagonists's tragic death. Some of the classic examples of these weaknesses, or flaws include Othello's jealousy, Macbeth's ambition, and Lear's a need to be loved. Both, Hamlet, and Sir Thomas More possess unusual flaws, which is why sometimes they are regarded as the perfect heroes, instead of the tragic ones. Hamlet's flaw is his procrastination, while More flaw is being a slave to his conscience.

In the play "Hamlet", by William Shakespeare, Hamlet is described as daring, brave, loyal, and intelligent, but he is consumed by his own thoughts. Hamlet's duty to take revenge for his father's murder. This leads Hamlet, a philosopher not a killer, to search deep within himself for the solution to his plight. Hamlet's "pale cast of thoughts" has constantly undermined his resolution, resulting in his inaction, which, in turn, causes him deep unrest and depression. Hamlet's indecisive pursuit in avenging his father's death is shown as evidence of his tragic flaw. Hamlet repeatedly rationalizes and analyzes the ineffectiveness of his actions. Due to the uncertainty of the truth, Hamlet feels that it is impossible to act in a controlled, purposeful and immediate manner. Therefore his actions are usually reckless and violent, for instance, when he accidentally killed Polonius, thinking it was Claudius. Hamlet as hero comes about because he goes through a great transformation involving great bravery. He ponders, many questions in life such as suicide and the existence of man to the point of true and unabashed confrontation, without fear bordering on madness. This is truly a great feat in intellectualism. Furthermore, he walks calmly to his death in the end. By Act V he knows that he is going to die yet he goes to carry out his destiny. He lived with an disinterested love of life beyond his own life. This generosity and readiness to lose life is a true affirmation of heroism. It is heroic to step up and say yes to life and all of its great questions, while facing great pain and solitude and even unhappiness. By the end of his heroic journey he is unafraid to live life.

More possesses several characteristics that a hero should have: he is highly-educated, well-known, politically powerful, faithful, religious, considerate, intelligent, honest, and courageous.

However, Sir Thomas More is a man who subconsciously is a slave to his conscience, and this eventually brings his downfall. Just like Hamlet, he is a philosopher, and he considers both the legal and moral ramifications of everything he says or does. More's actions were all based upon two things, his conscience and God. He executes selfless acts in order to do what he knows is legal, and what he thinks is right. He is one of very few people who have died with their integrity intact. He is a special man, who is steadfast in upholding his principles, even when death breathes down his neck. He is a morally upright man, who does not take the easy way out, nor accept bribes or any means of materialistic possession over moral righteousness. He does not deviate from his path of righteousness, even though he has temptations to do so, to spare his life, and his families anguish. More is a man of moral integrity because he refuses to submit to external pressures to sign the oath condoning the Act of Supremacy. He follows his heart and soul in doing what he believes to be right no matter what the consequence. With no hope of salvation from the King and others, Sir Thomas More welcomes his execution without regret, knowing his death would exemplify his character and pose as a reminder of his faith. Death only signified his devotion and faith, and brought to him reassurance that dieing with the knowledge that he stayed true to himself and god was the only thing that mattered.

In conclusion, it can be said that Hamlet's and More's faith in people and the world around them has deserted them by the end of the plays. Both, "Hamlet" and "A Man for All Seasons" are tragedies of loss of faith. However, there is a worthwhile heroism in Hamlet and Sir Thomas More, which becomes clear whenever the protagonists have to face internal and external pressures. The fact that both characters were able to overcome numerous obstacles and still achieve their goals (revenging for his father's death in case of Hamlet and not standing by his moral principles till the end in case of More) is the reason we find them admirable.