The scene that best captivates Hamlet’s arrogance as his hamartia is when he confronts Gertrude and unknowingly murders Polonius. This scene marks the beginning of Hamlet's tragic downfall. Some could say he acted out of fear, or that his state of mind was unclear; but it is evident upon further analysis that he acted out of his own hubristic nature.
To begin, Hamlet’s arrogance is demonstrated by rudely lashing out at his mother, blaming her for marrying Claudius and begging her to leave him. His rude demeanor toward his mother is controlled by his strong hatred towards Claudius- his father's killer. Hamlet tells his mother,
[Aside] Nay, but to live
In the rank sweat of an enseamed bed,
Stewed in corruption, honeying and making love
Over the nasty, sty- (Shakespeare, 3.4. 92-94)
His insults towards his mother are geared towards Claudius and his negative bias towards him. Despite the fact that his mother is not guilty of his father's murder, he carelessly releases his anger upon her- portraying his sense of superiority over his mother. Ultimately, the act of confronting Gertrude displays Hamlet’s arrogant nature which leads to his eventual demise.
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His one goal of avenging his father causes him to lose his rationale, as his only thought is to murder his father's killer, Claudius. This mindset clouds his vision and he murders Polinus whom he mistakes for Claudius behind the curtain. Furthermore, Hamlet shows no sympathy or regret for his mistake and instead says, “Thou wretched, rash, intruding fool, farewell. I took thee for thy better.” (Shakespeare, 3.4. 32-33). It is evident that Hamlet is unaffected by this and feels no remorse for his aberration- instead blaming Polonius for interfering. Thus, his tragic flaw causes him to commit a heinous