Tragic Hero (using Hamlet)

3 Pages 684 Words

A tragic hero is an exceptional character, who has a flaw that leads to his downfall. In most plays the tragic flaw is easy to spot. However, in Hamlet, Hamlet’s tragic flaw is not as easy to point out as some other major Shakespeare’s characters. Hamlet’s complex and deep character produces a variety of possibilities that might’ve led to his demise. However, it seems to be that his constant over rationalizing and hesitating were most prominent in leading to his death.
After Hamlet’s father was killed, his world was turned upside down. He was thrusted into a whirlwind of commotion. For one, he had to live life without a man who he deeply loved. Next, his mother remarries, nearly three wakes later. To add insult to an already painful injury, the man his mother-queen married happened to be his late father’s brother. Newly crowned King Claudius did not help the situation. It appeared Hamlet’s life couldn’t get any worse. That was until he was visited by a ghost, who claimed to be his late father. Although an odd and precarious situation, Hamlet was excited. He learned that his, uncle, and now king and father, Claudius, had poisoned and killed the great King Hamlet. Before the apparition departed he called upon a favor of his son: seek revenge. Kill King Claudius.
Hamlet’s initial instinct was to do this deed, and do it now. He owed it to himself and to his father. However, as if life hadn’t been rough enough for Hamlet, he quickly was brought down to earth when he realized what he had to do. Commit treason. Go against religious beliefs. These overbearing thoughts would go on to plague Hamlet throughout the play.
Hamlet cannot take immediate action. He cannot just go out and kill the king. He has one shot and one shot only. He realizes this, and realizes a bunch of other gloomy prospects. First off, Hamlet is unsure about whether or not killing the king is the right thing to do. He doesn’t even have a without a ...