Hamlet

Prince Hamlet is a model example of a Shakespearean tragic hero.
Every
tragedy must have a tragic hero. A tragic hero must own many good traits,
but has a flaw that ultimately leads to his downfall. If not for this tragic flaw,
the hero would be able to survive at the end of the play.
A tragic hero is defined as a great or virtuous character in a dramatic tragedy

who is destined for downfall, suffering, or defeat. The hero in these tragedies
is often presented as a noble however, flawed character whose demise is
often impart to their own decisions, often due to their previously mentioned
flaws, error in judgment and imprudent actions. Written in the early 1600’s
Shakespeare wrote one arguably one of his greatest and highly controversial
plays, the tragedy known as Hamlet, Prince of Denmark. Shakespeare in his
play introduces us the pays one of his most popular, enigmatic, and dynamic
characters the tragic hero Prince Hamlet. Hamlet is presented to us a
sensitive, religious, loyal, moral, intellectual, and young
Hamlet has many noble and brave characteristics, this is one of the reasons
he is a tragic hero. Hamlet’s promise to avenge his father’s death makes him
noble because loyalty is part of chivalry, one of the main aspects of being
noble. Also, Hamlet is very brave. When he found out that he was going to be
executed, he had to make a choice to save himself or kill Rosencrantz and
Guildenstern to avenge his father, because the risk he took could cause him
to be actually executed. When the pirates attacked the ship, he escaped to
carry out his promise that he made to his father’s ghost. Hamlet also has
free will and is very intelligent. A tragic hero must have free will or his fate
would be decided for him, and his death could be avoided. He feigns
madness to meet more information about Claudius and not give away his
ulterior motive. "I am but mad north-north-west. When the wind is southerly,
I know a hawk from a handsaw" (Shakespeare 2.2 402). This quote signifies
that he is only mad at certain times, the rest of the time he know what he is
doing. Also he uses free will when he saw Claudius praying. He could have
slain him then and there, but if he did that Claudius could have a chance of
going to Heaven; Hamlet did not want to send his nemesis somewhere where
he could be care-free and guilt free.
Throughout the entire play, Hamlet has proven himself to be a hero in

disguise. He is a good representation of how an ordinary individual can be a
hero. However, as we continue to read the play, we soon discover that he is
incapable of certain things and carry traits that go against what a typical
hero is believed to have. Hamlet is not the stereotypical hero you would
expect. Instead, he is a flawed hero. Every time we look at Hamlet, he is
different, unpredictable, but never cease to surprise us with his acts. Our
relationship with Hamlet changes each time we read the play. The play offers
a different standard than what is typical for what defines
A life of thought versus a life of action is a theme woven throughout the play.
Although Hamlet seems like a man of thought through much of the play, by
the end he finds balance between the two. This suggests that Shakespeare's
final idea on the topic is that the best approach to life strikes a balance
between thought and action.
From the outset, both Laertes and Fortinbras are foils for Hamlet. Whereas
Hamlet initially thinks deeply before any action, Fortinbras seems prone to
action before thought. Laertes, like Fortinbras, wants to take immediate
steps to avenge his father's death and has none of the doubt that causes
Hamlet to delay his revenge against Claudius.
Hamlet, is arguably the most complex, relatable, and deep character created
by Shakespeare. His actions and thoughts throughout the play show the
audience how fully developed and unpredictable he is with his mixed
personalities. What Hamlet goes through in the play defines the adventures
encountered by a tragic hero. In this timeless tragedy, despite Hamlet’s
great nobility and knowledge, he has a tragic flaw that ultimately leads to his
ironic death.

Hamlet

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Prince Hamlet is a model example of a Shakespearean tragic hero.

A tragic hero is defined as a great or virtuous character in a dramatic tragedy

Throughout the entire play, Hamlet has proven himself to be a hero in

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