Hamlet Tragic Hero Research Paper

Hamlet as a Tragic Hero
Hamlet, written by William Shakespeare, is one of the most tragic plays ever written. Hamlet was born of Noble stature. After learning of his father’s death, he returns home from school only to find his mother has married. Not only was the quickness of the wedding bothersome to Hamlet, he learns his mother has married his father’s brother. Hamlet then sees the ghost of his deceased father. During this vision, his father tells him he was murdered by his uncle, Hamlet’s stepfather. He sets out to seek revenge for his father’s murder. In the process, he makes himself look insane to deflect suspicion. Hamlet is a tragic hero because he is of noble stature, his character flaw of being indecisive, and his fall from greatness

The ghost of Hamlet’s father tells him that Claudius is his killer. Hamlet swears to seek revenge for his father’s death. Hamlet talking to the ghost shows bravery, but also a disregard for his own safety. Hamlet works hard to gather all the right information he needs to make correct choices, but then he worries perhaps he has missed something. Hamlet has too much conflicting internally to pursue his vengeance. Hamlet will risk doing the wrong thing if it eases his grief and psychological pain. His mind is leading him to self-destruction. While Claudius is asleep, Hamlet holds the knife over his sleeping uncle. However, Hamlet cannot go through with his fatal intentions. Instead, he writes a play about the same scenario to study the reaction of Claudius, as to a clue of his guilt. After he decides Claudius is guilty of murdering his father, he still reframes from taking his revenge. Hamlet says, “Haste me to know’t, that I, with wings as swift as meditation or the thoughts of love, may sweep to my revenge” (1.5.29-31). He knows he should act on what information he has learned, but he continues pushing to learn more in hope to learn the ultimate truth. Hamlet’s own indecisiveness and doubts are shown in these quotes. Hamlet says, “Swounds, I should take it: for it cannot be but I am pigeon-livered and lack gall to make oppression bitter, or ere this I should have fatted the region kites

In an attempt to incriminate his uncle, Hamlet pretends to go mad. This is his mistake. Hamlet's inability to be decisive justifies his own madness in an attempt to fix everything. Hamlet destroys his relationship with Ophelia with his actions. Hamlet tells her, “You should not have believed me: for virtue cannot so inoculate our old stock, but we shall relish of it: I loved you not.” (3.1.116-117). Hamlet messes up his relationship with Ophelia and his relationship with his mother. This causes himself a great disservice. Also, this led to the undoing of the people he loved. Ophelia is convinced Hamlet has really gone insane. Ophelia says, “O, what a noble mind is here o’erthrown!”