Evaluation about the tragic hero status of Amir and Hamlet Since ancient Greece, literary works have frequently featured tragic heroes. They are typically defined by their tragic flaws, which lead to their downfall. Amir from Khaled Hosseini's "The Kite Runner" and Hamlet from William Shakespeare's "Hamlet" are two characters who suit these criteria. Although both characters meet the criteria for tragic heroes, they differ in their tragic flaws and the degree of agency they have over their fates. This essay will assess the tragic hero status of Amir and Hamlet, examining their noble qualities, tragic flaws, turning points, and outcomes. A tragic hero is a fictional figure that errs or has a flaw that brings about …show more content…
Amir's redemption has a steep price in this situation. He puts his life in danger to save Hassan's son from the Taliban, receiving a brutal beating. Yet, in the end, he finds forgiveness and peace in his bond with Sohrab, Hassan's kid, and in returning to Afghanistan to reopen the orphanage. Amir is thinking back on his journey: "I ran. A grown man running with a swarm of screaming children. But I didn't care. I ran with the wind blowing in my face, and a smile as wide as the Valley of Panjsher on my lips. I ran." (page 391, chapter 5, The Kite Runner). The hallmark of a tragic hero is that the audience should feel both sympathy and horror at their demise. As they observe the havoc and destruction that Hamlet's indecision has produced, the audience experiences anxiety as well. In contrast, Hamlet’s tragic fate is caused by his own actions and decisions. Polonius, Rosencrantz, Guildenstern, and other characters die due to his lack of decisiveness, resulting in his demise. Hamlet's final words reveal his demise: "The rest is silence." (Act 5, scene 2, Hamlet). Although both characters face a tragic outcome, and how they do so differs. Hamlet's demise results from his deeds, but Amir's redemption comes at a substantial personal