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Is Hamlet a Hero

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Is Hamlet a Hero
Hamlet Hero Paper I. My concept of a hero Hamlet, as one of the most eminent plays in history, possesses an intricate conflict between the protagonists and antagonists. Nonetheless, there is confusion about who the protagonists and the antagonists are, and how heroes should be defined in this well-known play. Heroes, for a long time in my life, have been defined as people who are able to do supernatural, super-human work in favor of the public. My favorite hero was, and still is, the amazing superhero Spiderman. As a relatable college student, Peter Parker gains a superpower with a bite of a spider. With his superpower, he saves the city, attains the love of his lifelong crush, and gains the favor of the public. As a young boy, I looked up to Spiderman, thinking that he is the best man that could ever exist on earth. Spiderman, or Peter Parker, once said “Not everyone is meant to make a difference. But for me, the choice to lead an ordinary life is no longer an option”, and to Mary Jane, said “Then you know why we can't be together. Spider Man will always have enemies. I can't let you take that risk. I will always be Spider Man. You and I can never be...” (Spiderman). These lines made me thirst for more Spiderman and have imprinted his magnificent image in my brain as the greatest hero. This hero created 8 years ago by Marvel comics created an image in my head that heroes are simply people who have gained the favor of the public. As the epitome of a hero, Spiderman, with his brawny, agile senses, seems to fight his troubles from the point he realizes his power. Hamlet, however, totally changed my concept of a hero. Assuming that Hamlet is a hero, he is simply portrayed as a normal man born of royalty, without any superpowers. Although he is the prince, as the protagonist, he has less public favor than the king, the antagonist. Moreover, not only did he not take care of whom he loved, but he led her to a state of madness, which eventually lead to her death.


Cited: 1. "Hero | Define Hero at Dictionary.com." Dictionary.com | Find the Meanings and Definitions of Words at Dictionary.com. Web. 05 Dec. 2010. <http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/hero>. 2. Hitler, Adolf. "Years of Study and Suffering in Vienna." 2001. Mein Kampf. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 2001. 64. Print. 3. Spider-Man. Dir. Sam Raimi. Perf. Toby Maguire. Marvel, 2002. Film. 4. "Why Hamlet Is A Hero." Slashdoc. Jgomer3, 23 Oct. 2002. Web. 06 Dec. 2010. <http://www.google.com.hk/url?sa=t&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CBgQFjAA&url=http://www.slashdoc.com/documents/51452&ei=5dv8TPalCdCrrAfh2oC9CA&usg=AFQjCNGbi2KnMIMouuV7JF2-Ny7adxU_OQ>. 5. Bolt, Sydney. William Shakespeare, Hamlet. London, England: Penguin, 1990. Print.
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