Hamlet as a tragic hero

Hamlet as a tragic hero

Of all the plays Shakespeare has written, “ Hamlet ” is his most celebrated play and the play’s main protagonist Hamlet is the most controversial and talked about character in the history of English literature.

Aristotle in his book “ Poetics ” outlines that a tragic hero is a noble-born with heroic attributes and whose destiny changes as a result of a tragic flaw (most of the time arising from the character’s own heroic attributes) that eventually causes the tragic hero’s awful downfall. The character, Hamlet, undoubtedly complies with the concept of a tragic hero based on these points and can be considered as a perfect tragic hero. 

Table of Contents

Hamlet’s high status:

Hamlet is a high-born or a prince in the kingdom of Denmark. Hamlet has high philosophical thoughts as he was a student of philosophy and we witness his philosophical mind when Hamlet contemplates the principles of death and life. As a noble-born, Hamlet also knows sword skills which we can see in his duel against Laertes. Hamlet is also depicted as a diligent and clever person who is accepted among the public and will without a doubt make a potent monarch. Despite having all these heroic qualities, the ‘tragic flaw’ in his character eventually leads to his destruction and makes him a typical tragic hero. 

  Hamlet’s tragic flaw

According to Aristotle, a tragic hero must have a tragic flaw and Hamlet’s tragic flaw is his incapacity to take action or his indecisiveness. He is oftentimes upset by his own manners of ‘self-analysis’ . This tragic flaw leads him to many unwanted outcomes. For example, when Hamlet had the opportunity to kill, the murderer of his father Claudius, Hamlet halts because Claudius was praying at that time. According to Hamlet, if he had killed him while praying, he would have advanced to heaven. Likewise Act III Scene VI, in conversation with his mother, Hamlet had murdered Polonius, suspecting that it was his uncle Claudius. Extremely grieved by the demise of his father, Ophelia killed herself. If we look at all these incidents from a wiser point of view, then we can say that had Hamlet killed Claudius earlier, Hamlet would have already avenged his father’s death. Accordingly, Polonius, whom Hamlet killed would have lived and also his daughter Ophelia and besides all these Hamlet would also be able to spend the rest of his life well. So Hamlet’s own tragic flaw leads to his downfall and this also makes him a tragic hero.

Conflict as an essence of a tragic hero

Conflict is an important characteristic of a tragic hero. Tragic heroes like King Lear, Brutus, Othello, Hamlet also face internal and external conflicts . Hamlet’s inner conflict is between his ethical principles and his duty of taking revenge. His attachment to his father, the disgrace of his mother Gertrude, and the wickedness and double-dealing of his uncle Claudius stimulate him to take revenge while his integrity, moral principles, resists such inhuman action. The outcome is that Hamlet breaks within himself and endures psychological torment. 

If we talk about Hamlet’s main external conflict, then it is with his uncle, Claudius. For Hamlet, Claudius is a murderer of his father, a seducer who seduced and married Hamlet’s mother, and a usurper of Denmark’s crowned head. So for all these reasons Hamlet wants to take revenge on Claudius. 

We can also see Hamlet’s external conflict with Laertes. Laertes has a touch of dislike for Hamlet when he learns that his sister Ophelia had some connection with Hamlet. But Laertes’ dislike of him turns violent when he learns that his father has been killed by Hamlet. Such internal and external conflicts are the essence of a tragic hero.

The self-realization of a tragic hero:

Usually, in a tragedy, the hero comes to know about a truth about which he was previously unaware and uninformed. No doubt, Hamlet goes through a shift, a growth in perception and self-realization. But this transformation of Hamlet comes quite late to prevent his downfall. The self-realization of Hamlet starts with his brooding on the performer’s speech about Hecuba; it moves along with the bedroom scene and gets to its peak in the grave-diggers’ scene. It is in the gravedigger’s scene where Hamlet declares “the readiness is all” (William Shakespeare, Hamlet) . Aristotle called this self-realization of the hero “anagnorisis” . Most of all, in any case, Hamlet was manage to accomplish his essential aim – to kill the murderer of his father.

Role of fate and chance in Hamlet’s tragedy:

It might be argued that the personality of Hamlet’s character is not the only reason that is accountable for his downfall; external situations are also blameworthy for forming Hamlet a tragic hero. The arrival of the Ghost in the form of Hamlet’s father and its disclosure is an instance of fortune. There are many other incidents that happen in Hamlet’s life are by accident. The killing of Polonius, the attacking of pirates, and his returning to Denmark are nothing but an accident. So chance and fate affect not only the life of Hamlet but also the lives of the other characters. But this also does not mean that fate and chance are the only cause of Hamlet’s tragedy ; ultimately it is he himself who is answerable for his tragedy.

Conclusion:

In the end, we can say that the character of Hamlet as portrayed in the play and as advocated by the aforesaid qualities can be regarded as a tragic hero . Hamlet is not known for his bravery and goodness, he is such a hero who wanted to do something right but in the process, he keeps on making mistakes one after another. His ambitions and accomplishments are coordinated by defeats and misdeeds. Hamlet is a character in which virtue and evil coexist.

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The Tragic Flaw of Hamlet

How it works

Archetypes are characters, situations, and symbols that can transcend different cultures. Undoubtedly, The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark, one of the most influential works written by William Shakespeare”, is a classic dramatic story filled with deceit, trickery, self-doubt, revenge, and death” (J., Clayton.)

In this piece, Shakespeare masterfully employs Jung’s archetypes to give personality traits to his characters, such as the hero and the outcast for Prince Hamlet, the villain and the ambitious for Claudius, and the battle between good and evil for Hamlet’s struggle to avenge his father’s death.

The Tragic hero and the Outcast in Hamlet is usually a protagonist who has many noble personality traits and major tragic flaws. In the story, Hamlet the King persuades Hamlet the Prince to avenge his death by revealing that the king was, in fact, murdered by his brother, Claudius. Hamlet then vows to kill the King. In fact, he exclaims, “O, from this time forth,/ My thoughts be bloody, or nothing worth” (IV, iv, 68-69). Hamlet’s loyalty to his father makes him a noble character.

Furthermore, he wittily feigns madness in order to obtain the truth about his father’s death and not reveal his ultimate goal. “I am but mad north-north-west. When the wind is southerly, I know a hawk from a handsaw” (II, ii, 402). In other words, he consciously knows that he is mad or acting mad. His tragic flaw, or his greatest gift, is his ability to masterfully employ language to his advantage (George Detmold). Nonetheless, no matter what Hamlet does, he is never at ease unless he kills the king, who is forced to drink the “poisoned wine” and is slashed with the “envenomed foil,” both of which are intended for Hamlet.

In the end, even though he is slowly dying, he finally “sinks into the oblivion which he has courted so long, and which now comes to him honorably and gives him rest.” (George Detmold). After accomplishing the task, Hamlet can finally rest peacefully. An outcast is usually someone who is banished from his or her community. Hamlet is constantly stricken with grief as if the whole world were turned against him. His father dies mysteriously, and his mother unhesitantly marries his uncle, who seizes the throne from Hamlet. In fact, the grief is too great he can’t bear it himself but exclaims, “To be, or not to be, that is the question” (III, I, 64). In other words, he wants to die free from the task given to him and the struggles of the world. Hamlet is tempted to commit suicide; however, he is afraid of what awaits him in the afterlife. While faking being insane, Hamlet shuns everyone away – such as Ophelia- in order to fool them. He conceals a great secret that he cannot confide in anyone (J., Clayton).

Hamlet is somewhat sexist, especially to Ophelia. He scorns Ophelia, “God hath given you one face, and you/ make yourselves another” (III, i,155-156). Hamlet accuses her of being double-faced, claiming she has nothing but beauty. Furthermore, he shows her to a nunnery because “wise men” (III, i, 149-151) will know she will cheat on them. Due to his inappropriate behavior and unstable mentality, King Claudius wants “The present death of Hamlet. Do it England” (IV, iii, 74-75). Ever since the murder of King Hamlet, Prince Hamlet dislikes the world and intentionally shuns his loved ones away. Since he does not fit in with the royal family, he is then sent to England for execution. That is, he is banished from his community. The Tragic Hero and the Outcast in Hercules. Likewise, Hercules is both the tragic hero and the outcast. Even though the two stories are different, the ideas behind the tragic hero and the emotions they evoke remain the same. Like Hamlet, Hercules is destined to be a hero, but with a tragic flaw, his inability to control his emotions. They are easily evoked and apt to get out of hand.

He, like Hamlet, makes himself an outcast when he abandons the Argo, all of his comrade, and the Quest of the Golden Fleece due to his despair at losing “Hylas, his young armor-bearer” (Hercules). His feeling for others, like Hamlet’s feeling and loyalty to his father, is “oddly endearing,” but they can cause immense danger to him, singling him out from all others. After unintentionally killing his wife and children, he exclaims, “What can I do but die? Live? A branded man, for all to say, ‘Look. There is he who killed his wife and sons’! Everywhere my jailers, the sharp scorpions of the tongue!” Both Hamlet and Hercules have suicidal thoughts after the death of their loved ones. Like Hamlet, Hercules is assigned to accomplish all the impossible labors for his sin. However, Hercules is never “tranquil and at ease,” even after his sins are forgiven. The horror still haunts him every day. Both Hercules and Hamlet need rest from all the struggles of the world. When he knows he can die peacefully, he gladly cries out, “This is rest. This is the end” (Hercules). Archetypes transcend literature; that is, no matter how different the story may be, the role of the tragic hero and the outcast will always remain the same.

  • 1 King Claudius as Villain
  • 2 The Battle between Good and Evil

King Claudius as Villain

The villain is usually an antagonist whose “goal is usually to destroy the hero or to gain power” (Martin.). In the story, King Claudius murders his own brother in order to gain both the throne and his wife. Later in the story, he confesses, “My crown, mine own ambition, and my queen./ May one be pardoned and retain the offense?” (III, iii, 59-60). In addition, Claudius is willing to betray anyone in order to retain his possessions. He even goes further as to attempt to murder Hamlet in order to prevent everyone from knowing the truth. When he realizes that Hamlet, in fact, knows the truth about the murder, he devices plans to kill Hamlet indirectly. For example, he first sends him to England for a secret execution which fails. Then, he reveals to Laertes that Hamlet is involved in the death of Polonius, which caused Laertes to challenge Hamlet to a duel. It is a trap where Laertes uses an envenomed sword to dual against Hamlet. Even if Hamlet wins, he would have to drink the poisoned wine made by King Claudius. Before Laertes dies, he discloses, “It is here, Hamlet… thou art slain/… Never to rise again. Thy mother’s poisoned/ I can do no more. The King, the King’s to blame” (V, ii, 344-351).

Here, King Claudius is more concerned with keeping his power than destroying Hamlet. Hamlet just happens to be one of his obstacles to absolute power. Queen Hera as Villain Likewise, Hera is also a villain. Even though she is more concerned with killing Hercules, the idea of the villain remains the same. Since Hercules is the result of Zeus’s secret affair, Hera “was furiously jealous and she determined to kill Hercules” (Hercules), just as King Claudius wants to kill Hamlet to keep the secret about the death of the king. Knowing that Hercules could only be overcome by a “supernatural force,” Hera uses her power against him to kill him. Comparably, King Claudius unsuccessfully tries to kill him multiple times, including with the poisoned wine. The only difference is that Hera is a supernatural deity, whereas King Claudius is just an ordinary human being. In both stories, both Hera and King Claudius want to inhibit the main protagonists, Hercules and Hamlet, respectively from advancing.

The Battle between Good and Evil

In Hamlet and Hercules, interestingly, the battle between good and evil is a recurring theme in a lot of literature around the world. In Hamlet, Hamlet is the hero, and Claudius is the villain. Their intent to kill each other represents the fight between good and evil. In the end, one can say it’s a tragic flaw in Hamlet’s essay that neither good nor evil wins because they both die. However, after knowing the truth about Hamlet, Fortinbras proclaims, “Bear Hamlet like a soldier to the stage,/ For he was likely, had he been put on,/ To have proved most royal;…/ Go bid the soldiers shoot” (V, ii, 442-444; 449). He realizes if Hamlet had been given a chance, he could have been the most honorable king. In a sense, Hamlet, who represents good, wins because he dies an honorable death. Likewise, in the battle between Hercules (good) and Hera (evil), Hercules wins because he, too, dies an honorable death. He later reconciles with Hera and marries her daughter Hebe in the afterlife. In other words, he has won the battle.

Throughout many cultures around the world, the good, for the most part, win the battle. Clearly, these archetypes existed long before Shakespeare’s time. Hamlet is meaningful for everyone to understand because it is the perfect representation of basic literary archetypes. These archetypes not only transcend through time from as long as ancient Greece to now but also transcend cultures as they appear in both Western and Eastern literature. Archetypes can be a very powerful tool as it helps bridge the writer to his audience.

Hamlet qualifies as a tragic play because it is replete with poignant and passionate scenes that culminate in the characters’ downfall. The play portrays betrayal, retaliation, and emotional anguish that lead to the characters making ill-advised choices that ultimately ruin their lives.

Hamlet’s proclivity for indecision and difficulty in decision-making causes him to procrastinate, leading to delays in taking action or sometimes, no action at all. This characteristic flaw subjects him to considerable inner turmoil and emotional distress.

The notion of the tragic flaw presents a challenge in Hamlet since it can be open to various explanations. For instance, Hamlet’s lack of promptness and decisive action may be construed as a flaw. Conversely, Hamlet’s excessive emotionalism and lack of thorough consideration could also be viewed as a flaw. Either interpretation carries some issues since it suggests that Hamlet lacks the qualities of a competent leader.

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Tragic Flaw in Shakespeare's Hamlet

The IUP Journal of English Studies, Vol. IX, No. 4, December 2014, pp. 93-97

Posted: 6 Aug 2015

Indira Reddy

Rayalaseema University

Date Written: August 5, 2015

In spite of the fact that tragedies had been written in English prior to Shakespeare, it was Shakespeare who gave it its distinguishing features and elevated it to peaks of excellence. Shakespeare’s tragedy depicts the operation of tragic flaw in hero’s character. Although chance, fate and supernatural also play their role in the fall of the hero, Shakespearean tragedy is essentially the tragedy of character. A ‘tragic flaw’ is a literary term that refers to a personality trait of the protagonist that leads to his or her downfall due to the personal defect of character. The word ‘tragic flaw’ is taken from the Greek concept of Hamartia used by Greek philosopher Aristotle in his Poetics.Shakespeare’s tragic hero Hamlet’s fatal flaw is his failure to act immediately to kill Claudius, his uncle and murderer of his father. His tragic flaw is ‘procrastination’. His continuous awareness and doubt delays him in performing the needed. Hamlet finally kills Claudius but only after realizing that he is poisoned. His procrastination, his tragic flaw, leads him to his doom along with that of the other characters he targets. But Hamlet is not responsible for the events which complicate the plot. Fate, chance and supernatural also play a critical role in Hamlet. A similar flaw destroys Ravana of the Ramayana. Ravana was an embodiment of piety and matchless devotion to Lord Shiva, but his single weakness of lust for Sita caused his tragic end.

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Hamlet’s Tragic Flaw

Instead, Hamlet writes a play in which the actors play out the same story the ghost tells Hamlet. His plan is to study Claudius’s reaction to the play to determine his guilt. Even after Hamlet decides his uncle is guilty, Hamlet fails to take immediate action. This would have been a prime opportunity to confront Claudius, but Hamlet seems more interested in patting himself on the back than seeking revenge. Throughout the play Hamlet is deeply hurt by his mother’s decision to remarry his uncle.

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Hamlet’s Tragic Flaw Procrastination Essay

Hamlet is one of Shakespeare’s most renowned plays, and its title character has been the subject of much analysis over the years. Hamlet is widely recognized as a tragic hero – but why? Many would say that Hamlet’s tragic flaw is his indecisiveness.

Hamlet spends most of the play agonizing over his next move, and this causes him to make some bad decisions that lead to his downfall. Hamlet also has a tendency to over-think things, which often leads to him making the wrong call. These flaws ultimately cause Hamlet’s death, and make him one of Shakespeare’s most memorable characters.

It is better not to put off till tomorrow what you can do today. When individuals delay, various negative effects may occur. The example of this may be found in Shakespeare’s Hamlet, in which the protagonist is depicted. Despite being courageous, brave, loyal, and intelligent, Hamlet is overwhelmed by his own sense of guilt. A tragic flaw is one that causes a hero’s downfall. Hamlet’s failure to act on his father’s murder, his mother’s marriage to Claudius, and his uncle Bernardo taking the throne are all examples of his fatal flaw: delay.

Hamlet continuously puts off taking action until it is too late, which leads to his ultimate downfall. Hamlet’s tragic flaw is what makes the play interesting and complex. It causes him to hesitate and doubt himself, which ultimately leads to his death. Hamlet could have prevented his own downfall if he had acted on his feelings and impulses sooner. Hamlet’s Tragic Flaw is a perfect example of how procrastination can lead to disastrous consequences.

Hamlet’s tragic flaw is his lack of action. Hamlet’s inability to commit suicide, his inability to come to terms with murdering his mother, his failure to put on a play as a delaying tactic, and his incapability to kill Claudius while he’s praying all reveal that he does nothing.

Hamlet often talks about how he wants to take action, but when it comes time to do so, he backs down. Hamlet’s tragic flaw is his unwillingness to act, which leads to his downfall.

Hamlet’s uncle poisoned his father and then murdered him, bringing the ghost’s words back to life: “Revenge his foul and most unnatural murder.” (Act I, Scene 5, line 23) Hamlet is enraged and perplexed by the fact that his own uncle could kill his father. Despite Hamlet’s knowledge of Denmark’s issues, he begins to question everything the ghost has told him. In situations where quick decisive action is required, Hamlet is too involved in thinking. For example, during Act III when Hamlet has a knife over Claudius’ head about to behead him but stops himself just before it happens because

Hamlet’s tragic flaw is his inability to take action when it is needed most. Hamlet can be seen as a man who is unable to act, even when faced with what he believes to be an injustice. Hamlet’s ineffectiveness in dealing with his problems leads to his downfall. Hamlet’s Delay also causes him to suffer from another Tragic Flaw, which is Hamlet’s overthinking.

Hamlet’s soliloquies such as “To Be or Not To Be” show Hamlet deeply thinking about life and death. Hamlet also overthink things like whether the Ghost was really his father or if he should take action against Claudius. If Hamlet did not overthink things, he would have been able to take action and save himself from his downfall.

Hamlet’s Tragic Flaw is also his Hamartia which is his fatal flaw. Hamlet’s tragic flaw is what leads to his death in the end. Hamlet’s Tragic Flaw could be seen as a lack of decisiveness, which causes him to suffer from many problems. Hamlet also has issues with trust, as seen when he does not believe that Gertrude was faithful to his father. Hamlet’s Tragic Flaw can be seen as a problem that ultimately leads to his downfall.

Another perplexity in Hamlet’s status as a tragic hero emerges from his tragedy flaw. Given that Hamlet himself fault himself for being tardy in taking justice, readers frequently cite this as his indecision, which is understandable.

Hamlet’s fatal flaw, then, is twofold: he is too reflective and he fails to act when action is called for. Hamlet’s Hamartia of overthinking leads him down a dark path of inaction and despair.

Hamlet instead creates a play in which the actors reenact the same tale that the ghost tells him. His strategy is to observe Claudius’ reaction to the play in order to determine his guilt. Even after Hamlet decides his uncle is guilty, he fails to act immediately. This was an excellent moment to confront Claudius, but Hamlet appears more focused on himself than taking vengeance. Throughout the play, Hamlet suffers from his mother’s choice to marry his uncle again.

Hamlet’s relationship with his mother is one of the main sources of Hamlet’s delay. Hamlet is so distraught by her disloyalty that he can’t bring himself to kill Claudius when he has the chance. Hamlet’s tragic flaw is his inability to take action, which leads to further pain and suffering. Hamlet’s inaction stems from his indecisiveness, cowardice, and preoccupation with revenge. Hamlet’s tragic flaw ultimately destroys him and those around him.

The phrase “Frailty is woman’s name” emphasizes the inherent weakness of women and Hamlet’s conclusion that “women are frail.” The reader understands her actions cause Hamlet to despise women altogether (Act 1, Scene 2, Line 146). Claudius and Gertrude question Hamlet’s sadness in the first Act. They push him to accept his father’s passing and move on with his life.

While Hamlet should acknowledge his hatred of their marriage, he hides it. As Hamlet grows more enraged at their attempts to calm him, Gertrude takes notice of his feelings for Ophelia. She utilizes this as an excuse for Hamlet’s conduct.

Hamlet is aware of the trap his mother set for him and says “the lady doth protest too much, methinks” (Act 3, Scene 2, Line 290). Hamlet knows that Gertrude loves him and wants what is best for him. Hamlet does not trust himself to kill Claudius because he does not want to become like him. Hamlet’s tragic flaw is his inability to act on his thoughts and feelings. Hamlet waits too long to take action which leads to his downfall.

Hamlet could have easily killed Claudius while he was praying but instead he waited until later that night when Claudius was asleep. Hamlet also allowed Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to live which gave Hamlet’s enemies more time to plan his capture. Hamlet’s tragic flaw was his inability to take immediate action and this cost him his life.

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Home — Essay Samples — Science — Mythology — Hubris in Greek Mythology: A Fatal Flaw

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Hubris in Greek Mythology: a Fatal Flaw

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hamlet tragic flaw essay

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  1. Tragic Flaw in Shakespeare's Hamlet: [Essay Example], 949 words

    The first Hamlet's tragic flaw to be discussed in this essay is overthinking. Throughout the play, Hamlet is seen to over think every situation which shows his rational side while his irrational side is shown when he murders Polonius without any legitimate reason to it. Early in the play through the ghost of King Hamlet, Hamlet finds out ...

  2. What is Hamlet's tragic flaw?

    Hamlet's tragic flaw is his decision to avenge his father's death. For Hamlet, the tragic flaw is not a character flaw, such as too much pride, ambition, or jealousy. Instead, it is the decision ...

  3. What is a tragic flaw and how does it relate to Hamlet's downfall?

    A tragic flaw is a defect in the protagonist's character that leads him/her, and often others, to ruin or at least great grief. Hamlet's tragic flaw is his inability to act.. Unlike his father ...

  4. The Tragic Flaw of Hamlet: Unwavering Indecisiveness

    Hamlet's tragic flaw, his unwavering indecisiveness, leads to his downfall as he struggles to take decisive action. Throughout the play, Hamlet's inability to make firm decisions results in missed opportunities, internal turmoil, and ultimately, tragedy. This essay will delve into the various manifestations of Hamlet's tragic flaw, and analyze ...

  5. What is Hamlet's fatal flaw?

    Hamlet's tragic flaw is his indecisiveness and irrationality. When Hamlet first encounters his father's ghost and is told that he was murdered by his brother, Claudius , Hamlet is enraged.

  6. Tragic Flaw In Hamlet: [Essay Example], 549 words GradesFixer

    Shakespeare's iconic play, Hamlet, has captivated audiences for centuries with its timeless themes of revenge, madness, and the complexities of human nature. At the heart of this tragedy lies the concept of the tragic flaw, a fatal imperfection inherent in the protagonist's character that ultimately leads to their downfall.

  7. PDF Tragic Excess in Hamlet

    The word "excessive" is more significant than the word "pride" from the perspective of a theory of tragic excess. In this theory, hamartia is not simply an "error," "mistake," or "flaw.". It is an act or habit of excessively displaying a trait that, if employed moderately, would be perfectly fine.

  8. Hamlet as a tragic hero : Thinking Literature

    Hamlet's tragic flaw. According to Aristotle, a tragic hero must have a tragic flaw and Hamlet's tragic flaw is his incapacity to take action or his indecisiveness. He is oftentimes upset by his own manners of 'self-analysis'. This tragic flaw leads him to many unwanted outcomes. For example, when Hamlet had the opportunity to kill, the ...

  9. Tragic Flaw In Hamlet

    Tragic Flaw in Hamlet. In literature, the concept of a tragic flaw—known by its classical Greek term, *hamartia*—plays a pivotal role in the development of tragedy narratives. This flaw, typically a character defect or a mistaken choice, leads to the downfall of the protagonist. While the tragic flaw can vary in nature, it fundamentally ...

  10. The Tragic Flaw of Hamlet

    The Tragic hero and the Outcast in Hamlet is usually a protagonist who has many noble personality traits and major tragic flaws. In the story, Hamlet the King persuades Hamlet the Prince to avenge his death by revealing that the king was, in fact, murdered by his brother, Claudius. Hamlet then vows to kill the King.

  11. How is Hamlet a tragic hero?

    Hamlet is certainly one of the best tragedy plays by William Shakespeare. To place Hamlet in the category of a tragic hero, we must analyse his character and actions as per the definition of the ...

  12. Hamlet's Hamartia: an Analysis of Tragic Flaw in Shakespeare's Hamlet

    Hamlet's hamartia, his tragic flaw, can be identified as his indecisiveness and constant quest for certainty. From the very beginning of the play, we witness Hamlet's inability to take swift action, as he is plagued by doubts and uncertainties. ... The Concept of Insanity in Macbeth and Hamlet Essay. Hamlet and Macbeth are two of William ...

  13. Examples Of Tragic Flaws In Hamlet

    Examples Of Tragic Flaws In Hamlet. 598 Words3 Pages. Hamlet's Tragic Flaw. A tragedy is supposed to arouse the emotions of the audience in a way that makes them feel hopeful. The hero of the story must be of some sort of royalty, so that they can suffer from their conflict. A tragic hero more than likely has a certain problem or conflict ...

  14. Hamlet Tragic Flaw Essay Example [701 Words]

    Fatalism as Hamlet's tragic flaw. In addition to idealism, Hamlet's fatalism also serves as his tragic flaw that eventually results in his downfall. Hamlet displays evidence of fatalism by remarking in 1.4.29: "cannot choose his own origin". In his view, a man cannot be accused of reflecting a wicked character or a natural flaw that he ...

  15. Tragic Flaw in Shakespeare's Hamlet by Indira Reddy :: SSRN

    A 'tragic flaw' is a literary term that refers to a personality trait of the protagonist that leads to his or her downfall due to the personal defect of character. The word 'tragic flaw' is taken from the Greek concept of Hamartia used by Greek philosopher Aristotle in his Poetics.Shakespeare's tragic hero Hamlet's fatal flaw is his ...

  16. Hamlet's Tragic Flaw Essay, Hamlet

    The tragic hero is defined as one whose downfall is brought about due to their tragic flaw. Hamlet's inability to act on his father's murder, his mother's marriage, and his uncle assuming of the thrown are all evidence of his tragic flaw of procrastination. Revenge his foul and most unnatural murder" demands the ghost in (Act I, Scene 5 ...

  17. Hamlet: A Flawed Character Analysis: [Essay Example], 462 words

    This essay will analyze Hamlet's character, focusing on his fatal flaws and the impact they have on the unfolding of the play. Understanding Hamlet's flaws is crucial in unraveling the complexity of his character and the overarching themes of the play. Despite his noble intentions, Hamlet's tragic flaws ultimately lead to his downfall, making ...

  18. What Is Hamlet's Tragic Flaw? Essay

    Hamlet's tragic flaw is that he takes too much time to think which causes him to not accomplish what needs to be done in a timely fashion. Hamlet's fatal flaw was his procrastination which led him down a path of sorrow and misery but eventually lead to his demise. There are many instances where Hamlet could have killed King Claudius without ...

  19. What makes Hamlet a tragic hero?

    Expert Answers. One reason that Hamlet is the tragic hero is that he is the protagonist of the play. While there are other characters who also have serious flaws and lose their lives, they play ...

  20. Hamlet's Tragic Flaw Procrastination Essay

    Hamlet's tragic flaw is his inability to take action when it is needed most. Hamlet can be seen as a man who is unable to act, even when faced with what he believes to be an injustice. Hamlet's ineffectiveness in dealing with his problems leads to his downfall. Hamlet's Delay also causes him to suffer from another Tragic Flaw, which is ...

  21. Analyzing the Complex Character of Hamlet in Shakespeare's Play: [Essay

    Tragic Flaw. Finally, Hamlet's tragic flaw is a key aspect of his character that leads to his downfall. Hamlet's tragic flaw is his inability to take action, which ultimately leads to his own death. This flaw is present throughout the play and contributes to the play's overall themes of revenge, betrayal, and tragedy.

  22. Does Hamlet realize his tragic flaw during the play?

    Expert Answers. Hamlet 's tragic flaw is embedded in his character, so there is not just one act or scene where he realizes this flaw. His indecision to act, to be caught up in a state of his own ...

  23. Hubris in Greek Mythology: a Fatal Flaw

    Body Paragraph 1. The myth of Icarus is perhaps one of the most iconic examples of hubris in Greek mythology. Icarus, the son of the master craftsman Daedalus, attempted to escape from the island of Crete using wings made of feathers and wax, designed by his father.