The phrase ‘there is a hero to every story’ has been heard of by almost all. But can this be true if the hero doesn’t survive through the story? It all depends on the definition of hero. A person can still be classified as a hero even if they do not live to see the good that they have done or accomplished in their lifetime. This type of hero is a tragic hero. A tragic hero is a good and admirable man of high position who falls to destruction as a result of some great error he commits or some flaw in his character. This meaning can be broken down into three parts.
The first is that the person must be in some way distinguished as an honorable person of high stature. The next feature they must possess is some sort of fault or flaw in their character that is often referred to as a tragic flaw. The third quality is the destruction of character due to this tragic flaw, which usually means death. These three characteristics join together to create the framework for a tragic hero. The Character Hamlet, from William Shakespeare’s novel Hamlet fits the mold of a tragic hero perfectly as he meets all three of the requirements. The first characteristic, a good and admirable man of high position, is easily covered by Hamlet.
He was definitely an honorable person as he was looked up upon by all of the people of Denmark as their prince and next to rule (I. ii. 113).
The Essay on The Analysis of “Loser-hero”, “Tragic loser-hero” and “Failed loyalist hero” Archetypes in Japanese Literature
In the book “Warriors of Japan as Portrayed in the War Tales”, as the title suggests, author Paul Varley studies numerous war tales from hundreds of years of Japanese history, throughout the rise of the samurai warrior culture and the societal change that went along with it. From ancient war tales like the Shomonki to tales firmly in the medieval times like the Taiheiki, the changes in battlefield ...
This is not the only reason for him to be admirable. His mother found security in him and even the king knew that as he stated that she ‘lives almost by his looks’ (IV. vii.
13-14).
Hamlet was brave and intelligent, as well as loyal. He showed his loyalties to his father, Hamlet, Sr. , after his death by mourning him and disapproving of his mothers marriage to his uncle (I.
ii. 133-156).
The people who were around him saw this in him and admired him for it. The next trait he possessed was a tragic flaw. The fault in Hamlet’s character was brought about by the sadistic murder of his father. Once the Ghost of Hamlet, Sr.
told him of the murder his need to find the truth became an obsession. Hamlet then begins to act mad and plays mind games with others, in which he believes he has complete control (II. ii. 402-403).
This obsession led him to set up a play of his own father’s murder so he could witness the reaction of Claudius and find out if the villainous deed was in fact the truth, in which he would avenge his father’s death (II. ii.
633-634).
When the Kings reaction to Hamlet’s ‘Mousetrap’ is rather obvious of his crime, Hamlet, by fortune’s star, or fate has vowed to avenge his father’s death (III. ii. 290-295).
His obsession to avenge his father’s death was his tragic flaw.
What Hamlet believes is his fate, is actually the cause of his own destruction. Although his death was not the only destruction caused by his tragic flaw. He ends up killing Polonium, believing it was the King, Claudius (III. iv. 27-34).
Ophelia’s madness was then created because of this death, in combination with Hamlet telling her he didn’t love her anymore, which eventually lead to her death.
Laertes also becomes angered by his father’s death and makes a deal with the King to force death upon Hamlet (IV. vii. 157-173).
In the final scene a sword duel between Hamlet and Laertes, along with a cup of poisoned wine resulted in a very bloody treacherous scene. As the King, Queen, Laertes, and Hamlet all died the country of Denmark died as well (V. ii.
The Essay on Killing Claudius Hamlet Thought Father
... much longer. Another major theme in Hamlet is procrastination. Throughout the play, Hamlet wants to avenge his father's death by killing Claudius, but every ... with Ophelia and married her. He could have become king, and his best friends may have been spared, as ... deaths that occurred later in the play could have been prevented. It's this obsessive nature that led Hamlet to his tragic ending. Hamlet ...
390-394).
Hamlet was in fact a tragic hero. He was a very admirable man, as many people, including Horatio and his mother looked up to him. He had a fault in his character, known as a tragic flaw, which was his need and obsession to avenge his father’s wrongful death. This vengeance in the end led him to his own death as well as many other deaths.
Hamlet had all three of the characteristics that create the framework of a tragic hero, and as a result his life ended with great sadness as his fault over.
