Hamlet Tragic Hero Analysis
To be a tragic hero or not to be a tragic hero, that is the question. This phrase is a clash between two very important figures of literature. William Shakespeare an English composer who wrote many well-known plays with Hamlet being the most popular and Aristotle who was a Greek philosopher and well known for his academics who created the expression tragic hero. Combining the work of these two individuals we come to question is Shakespeare’s character Hamlet worthy of Aristotle’s term tragic hero.
Aristotle was a Greek philosopher who existed in the 300 BC period. Aristotle’s philosophy was more of a systematic concept of logic. His main objective was to come up with a process of reasoning that would help man learn every possible thing about …show more content…
The first happens in Act I, Scene 5 when Hamlet is visited by the ghost of his father and gains the motivation avenge his fathers murderer, his uncle. “Haste me to know ’t, that I, with wings as swift as meditation or the thoughts of love, may sweep to my revenge.” (Greenblatt, 1096). This scene shows that Hamlet is awaiting an explanation from the ghost so he can take revenge upon the murderer. After being encouraged by the ghost, Hamlet begins to plan his method to kill Claudius. Another proof that Hamlet is a tragic hero is his through his skill of speech and language. “I shall speak daggers to her, but use none.” (Greenblatt, 1127). In this scene Hamlet exchanges conversations with Ophelia by using his power of speech. This quote also shows power because Hamlet’s actions did not persuade Ophelia to commit suicide it was his verbal act. Hamlet uses speech and language to get what he desires. He simply achieves his actions through the way he utilizes his …show more content…
Some will say Hamlet is just a regular man who becomes corrupted and evil throughout the play. Hamlet comes off as a villain. He acts to fate in a way a normal, non-heroic character would act. The emotions that he shows are much more intense than physical appearance. With heavy emotions Hamlet takes on the thoughts of suicide, which most people would say is a hero less act. If we look at the play once more, the actions he took were not just for him; he did it for a man he loved, his father. Can we not say that he suffered much more than he should have to bring justice? Hamlet is a selfless
Aristotle was a Greek philosopher who existed in the 300 BC period. Aristotle’s philosophy was more of a systematic concept of logic. His main objective was to come up with a process of reasoning that would help man learn every possible thing about …show more content…
The first happens in Act I, Scene 5 when Hamlet is visited by the ghost of his father and gains the motivation avenge his fathers murderer, his uncle. “Haste me to know ’t, that I, with wings as swift as meditation or the thoughts of love, may sweep to my revenge.” (Greenblatt, 1096). This scene shows that Hamlet is awaiting an explanation from the ghost so he can take revenge upon the murderer. After being encouraged by the ghost, Hamlet begins to plan his method to kill Claudius. Another proof that Hamlet is a tragic hero is his through his skill of speech and language. “I shall speak daggers to her, but use none.” (Greenblatt, 1127). In this scene Hamlet exchanges conversations with Ophelia by using his power of speech. This quote also shows power because Hamlet’s actions did not persuade Ophelia to commit suicide it was his verbal act. Hamlet uses speech and language to get what he desires. He simply achieves his actions through the way he utilizes his …show more content…
Some will say Hamlet is just a regular man who becomes corrupted and evil throughout the play. Hamlet comes off as a villain. He acts to fate in a way a normal, non-heroic character would act. The emotions that he shows are much more intense than physical appearance. With heavy emotions Hamlet takes on the thoughts of suicide, which most people would say is a hero less act. If we look at the play once more, the actions he took were not just for him; he did it for a man he loved, his father. Can we not say that he suffered much more than he should have to bring justice? Hamlet is a selfless