Hamlet's Tragic Flaw

Shakespeare’s Hamlet is his own worst enemy. This is due to his procrastination and his inability to act to avenge his father’s death. Another character in Hamlet that displays hamartia is Polonius, who interferes in everyone’s affairs. Hamlet’s hamartia is his indecisiveness and Polonius’ tragic flaw is interference. Two scenes that create catharsis, is the death of Polonius and the swordfight at the end of the play. The flaws of these gentlemen are what lead to the death of not only themselves but many others.
“To be or not to be” (Shakespeare) defines Hamlet to perfection and it is this flaw in his character that leads to his demise. Hamlet demonstrates many times throughout the play of his inability to act. At the beginning of the
When Hamlet finally takes action and kill Claudius, he rushes in to do the deed, but finds Claudius praying and decides to wait. He next gets the chance to kill Claudius at the end of his swordfight with Laertes, but it is too late for him as he’s been poisoned by Laertes’s sword. Hamlet does get his revenge and by doing so receives the catharsis he needed. “Here, thou incestuous, murderous, damnèd Dane, Drink off this potion. Is thy union here? Follow my mother (5.2.356-358). Finally, Hamlet has acted and avenged his father’s murder.
Polonius’ tragic flaw is his intrusiveness and this leads to death of himself, Laertes, and Ophelia. He spends the most of the play interfering in his children’s lives, Hamlet’s, and the king and queen. While he may be a royal adviser, he plays the others like puppets and skulks about eavesdropping. Polonius seems to enjoy being meddlesome. One example is how he demands that Ophelia stay away from Hamlet. As seen in the following passage he is adamant.
“…This is for all:
I would not, in plain terms, from this time
Look to’t, I charge you...” (1.3.140-144).
Polonius must suspect that Hamlet sees through him and is too speculative of the motives of others. He probably wants a suitor for Ophelia that is easier to manipulate than Hamlet.
Polonius manipulates the players from the crown down to the servants. This is most true when he advises the queen right before his death.
“He will come straight. Look you lay home to him.
Tell him his pranks have been too broad to bear with,
And that your grace hath screened and stood