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Arrogance In Hamlet

390 Words2 Pages

Arrogance is a nine-letter word that instills terrible traits in a person's personality. William Shakespeare's famed play "Hamlet" depicts the character of Hamlet as a complex individual with a key flaw: arrogance. By delving into the concept of "hamartia" as a tragic flaw, discussing the defining characteristics of a tragic hero, and examining a specific incident showcasing Hamlet's arrogance, we can gain profound insights into the impact of this flawed character on the tragic trajectory of the play.

Firstly, The Greek term hamartia, which means "tragic flaw," refers to a character's inbuilt feature or characteristic that leads to their ultimate downfall. In Hamlet's situation, arrogance turns into hamartia, blinding him to the harmful effects of his acts and clouding his judgment. …show more content…

Mother, you have my father much offended.
Come, come, you answer with an idle tongue.
Go, go, you question with a wicked tongue. (3.4.10-13)
He criticizes her actions and condemns her hasty marriage to Claudius, his uncle. Hamlet believes that he has the authority to pass judgment and condemnation upon those around him, including his mother. Hamlet's pride obscures the situation's complexity, which stops him from comprehending the ramifications of his words and actions. He criticizes Gertrude for alleged moral breaches, claiming superiority and righteousness. This arrogance strains their relationship and worsens the problems within the play, causing a terrible chain of events to unfold.

Hamlet's arrogance is a fatal characteristic contributing to his demise. Hamlet's arrogance blinds him to the consequences of his acts and motivates his destructive behaviour, such as his treatment of Polonius and Ophelia. Like a tragic hero, he has good characteristics but succumbs to the fatal defect of arrogance. Shakespeare's depiction of Hamlet's arrogance is a critical lesson, reminding people of the risks unchecked pride and the devastation can

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