Hamlet: A Tragic Hero Essay -- Hamlet, Shakespeare

A tragic flaw is an error or defect in the tragic mill that draws to his downfall. (http//www.bedfordstmartins.com/literature/bedlit/glossary_t.htm) In the account of literature, if the question of who was the most indecisive character was brought up, Hamlet would be a prime candidate. Hamlet had numerous chances to reap revenge for his fathers termination but was only able to follow by dint of after the accidental murder of his mother. Hamlets unfitness to make a decision in the long run leads to his demise, and for that is his tragic flaw. What makes a tragic hero? Dr. Peter Smith, Associate Professor of English at Kentucky State University, broke the archetypical characteristics of a tragic hero down into six groups. Of the six, four will be discussed, the first being noble superlative. (http//www.kysu.edu/artsscience/ENG411/tragic%20hero.htm) Smith said that the fall of one with noble stature will not only affect their life but also the lives of the people who look to them for support. Hamlet is the prince of Denmark the people of Denmark rely on a infrangible royal family to rule and support the country. Next, Smith discussed the tragic flaw (http//www.kysu.edu/artsscience/ENG411/tragic%20hero.htm) which leads to the decline of the hero. Hamlets inability to make a decision lead to his death, which will be discussed in more detail further on. Thirdly, Smith says that one essential have free choice. The tragic hero falls because he chooses one course of action over another. (http//www.kysu.edu/artsscience/ENG411/tragic%20hero.htm) Hamlet is not forced to kill but makes the decision on his own. Finally, Smith says, the punishment must exceed the crime. (http//www.kysu.edu/artsscience/ENG411/tragic%20hero.htm) The audience cannot f... ... the one behind the curtain and kills Polonius by mistake without a second thought. Hamlet is a tragic hero because he follows the guidelines set by Dr. Smith he has noble stature, he has a tragic flaw, he has free c hoice, and finally, he has unjust punishment. (http//www.kysu.edu/artsscience/ENG411/tragic%20hero.htm) His downfall was his inability to make a decision. He vowed revenge for his fathers death only to stall time and time again until he finally goes through with it only to die himself. Work CitedClark, William George, and Wright, William Aldis. The Unabridged William Shakespeare. Philadelphia Courage Books, 1997.Glossary of Literary Terms. The Meyer Literature Site. February 7, 2002.Smith, Peter. The Characteristics of an Archetypal Tragic Hero. Characteristics of a Tragic Hero. 2002. Kentucky University. February 7, 2002.