Here is a three paragraph analysis of Hamlet as the tragic hero: Hamlet is undoubtedly the tragic hero of Shakespeare's famous play. From the beginning, he is established as a thoughtful, intellectual man of high birth as the Prince of Denmark. However, he possesses a tragic flaw that ultimately leads to his downfall. Upon learning of his father's murder at the hands of his uncle, Hamlet is plunged into a deep depression and obsession with gaining revenge. His inaction and overthinking cause much turmoil as he struggles to confirm Claudius' guilt before taking action. Hamlet's hesitation stems from his inability to act rashly or without absolute certainty. While this reflects his intelligence, it becomes his tragic flaw as his delays

1. Essay on William Shakespeare's Hamlet
William Shakespeare's Hamlet
There are enough conceptions, and thus misconceptions, about the melancholy Dane to fill volumes.
However, while none of them has proved entirely acceptable, some of them, such as the diagnoses
that Hamlet simply "procrastinates" or "cannot make up his mind" prove utterly unsatisfactory under
careful scrutiny of the play and, perhaps more importantly, Hamlet himself. Indeed, it appears as if
there are certain points in the play in which Hamlet comes to reversals as he eventually counters each
one of his own arguments and concludes each of his struggles, until, in his return from England, he
is someone quite different from the self–loathing, melancholy, emotionally torn man in the "inky
cloak" (I.ii.77) to...show more content...
And yet, he is woken, albeit for only a short time, from his depression by the arrival of his friend
Horatio from Wittenberg and the news he brings of Hamlet's ghost. Prince Hamlet, demanding,
"For God's love, let me hear!" (I.ii.196) accosts Horatio on every minute detail regarding his
father's spirit from where they saw the apparition to their response, even to whether or not "his
beard was grizzled" (I.ii.245). But, only a few scenes later, our hero returns to a dejected
disposition, moving rather quickly from his heroic belief that "The time is out of joint. O cursГЁd
spit/That ever I was born to set it right!" (I.v.197–198) to "You cannot, sir, take from me anything
that I will more willingly part withal – except my life, except my life, except my life."
(II.ii.215–217). Given the drastic difference between this line and the "antic disposition" he had
been showing to Polonius only a few lines earlier, it appears as if this is one of the few glimpses
one can get into Hamlet's soul while he is in discourse with another character. And yet, of all of
young Hamlet's desires, suicide is the most easily noticed: he has no qualms about mentioning it to
any other characters, even to Guildenstern and Rosencrantz, when he calls the world "sterile
promontory" (II.ii.300) and man nothing but a "quintessence of dust" (II.ii.309).
Indeed, even in his soliloquy at the end of Act II, where he rages about his supposed inaction and
comes upon the trap, "The
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2. Essay about Hamlet
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...show more content...
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 Polonius, 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
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3. Hamlet: Critical Essay
What have you come to understand about the intense human relationships of Hamlet? How has this
understanding been affected by the perspectives of others? In you response you should focus on 3
scenes in the play and a range of perspectives.
The intense human relationships of Hamlet have been viewed through numerous perspectives yet all
have reached the same conclusions. With the exception of just one, the friendship of Hamlet and
Horatio, all the relationships are dishonourable, dysfunctional and destined to fail. Being a revenge
tragedy it is immediately clear this play is filled with lies, deceit and treachery.
The exact time of Hamlet's composition is unknown, however it is assumed to be between 1599 and
1602. This was a dark,...show more content...
The scene ends with Hamlet possessively demanding her "but go not to my uncle's bed" and uses
multiple sexual references when he tells her to not let Claudius "Pinch wanton on your cheek, call
you his mouse". Relating this to the Oedipus complex, Hamlet appears to be more like a jealous
lover than a concerned son. Examining act 3 scene 4 from different perspectives gives varied
insights into Gertrude and Hamlet's relationship, yet each perspective deduces that it is a
dishonourable relationship with no mutual trust or respect.
Another dishonourable family relationship in Hamlet is that between Ophelia and her father
Polonius. Polonius manipulates Ophelia for his own benefit, treating her like a tool rather than a
person. Their relationships becomes pitiful when she receives orders from her father and responds
with "I shall obey, my lord", implying that she is at the service of her father. Through the analysis of
act 4 scene 5 a deeper understanding can be reached about Ophelia's relationship with her late father.
Following the death of Polonius, Ophelia's mind becomes unhinged as she drifts into insanity,
speaking in songs and rhymes. Considering this scene from a feminists perspective it can be thought
that Ophelia went mad with guilt having her desire for Hamlet to kill her father so that they can be
together fulfilled. This theory strongly supports the idea that the relationship between Ophelia and
Polonius
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4. Essay on Hamlet- The Characters
Hamlet
The prince of Denmark, and a student at the University of Wittenberg. At the beginning of the play,
Hamlet's father, King Hamlet, has recently died, and his mother, Queen Gertrude, has married the
new king, Hamlet's uncle Claudius. Hamlet is melancholy, bitter, and cynical, full of hatred for his
uncle and disgust at his mother for marrying him. When the ghost of Hamlet's father appears and
claims to have been murdered by Claudius, Hamlet becomes obsessed with avenging his father's
death but keeps thinking of reasons why he should wait before killing ClaudiusВ—then chastizes
himself for failing to act boldly. Hamlet is a character of contradictions. He admires characters like
Fortinbras and the Player King, who behave passionately...show more content...
Polonius
The Lord Chamberlain of Claudius's court, and the father of Laertes and Ophelia. Polonius has good
intentions, but he tends to be somewhat conniving and underhanded. He frequently leaps to the
wrong conclusions, and his speeches are comically pompous and long–winded. He is completely
incapable of figuring out what Hamlet is up to.
Horatio
Hamlet's close friend, who studied with the prince at the University of Wittenberg. Hamlet trusts
Horatio above any of the other characters, valuing him for his even temper and
equanimityВ—qualities that Hamlet seems to despise in himself. Horatio is loyal and helpful to
Hamlet throughout the play. After Hamlet's death, Horatio remains alive to tell Hamlet's story.
Ophelia
Polonius's daughter, a beautiful young woman with whom Hamlet has been in love. A sweet and
innocent young girl, Ophelia dutifully strives to obey her father and her brother, Laertes, allowing
Polonius to use her in his scheme to spy on Hamlet. When her father dies, her sanity unravels, and in
her madness she paints a scathing picture of young men as sexually exploitative and unfaithful, and
her mad speeches about flowers conceal implied condemnations of Claudius and Gertrude.
Laertes
Polonius's son and Ophelia's brother, a young man who spends much of the play in France.
Passionate and quick to action, Laertes is a foil for the reflective and agonized Hamlet.
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5. Analysis of Hamlet Essay
Hamlet is a suspenseful play that introduces the topic of tragedy. Throughout the play, Hamlet
displays anger, uncertainty, and obsession with death. Although Hamlet is unaware of it, these
emotions cause the mishaps that occur throughout the play. These emotions combined with his
unawareness are the leading basis for the tragic hero's flaws. These flaws lead Hamlet not to be a bad
man, but a regular form of imperfection that comes along with being human. When Hamlet is first
encountered with the ghost that resembles his father, it is revealed that his uncle Claudius might have
been the cause of his father's death. Hamlet is then confused about what he should believe and how
he...show more content...
When he does act, he prefers to do it recklessly and violently. This is a flaw that Hamlet cannot
deny. He knows that it is unjust, but only cares about avenging his father's death. Hamlet is not
only angered with the fact of his father's death, but also with his mother's decision to marry
Claudius. Devastated by his mother's decision to marry so soon after her husband's death, Hamlet
becomes skeptical about women in general. He shows a particular obsession with what he
perceives to be a connection with female sexuality and moral corruption. He almost develops
hatred towards women because of his mother's decision. This hatred occurs and is shown with his
relationship with Ophelia. He urges Ophelia to go to a nunnery rather than experience the
dishonesty of sexuality. This hinders Hamlet from experiencing a love that is really needed at this
time of his loss. One can say that this is another flaw, which Hamlet is unaware of. Throughout the
course of the play, Hamlet is also obsessed with the mystery of death. In the beginning of the play,
he states that he is unsure where one ends up after they die. Later into the play, he makes a reference
to the afterlife contradicting his first approach. When he attempts to kill
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6. Essay about hamlet
Hamlet
One of the most unique elements of the Hamlet character is that he is so human. Many types of
readers can identify with him. Hamlet is imperfect, and he is fretful. Hamlet has human properties,
and it is his humanity that I intend to explore. Indeed it is these human qualities and imperfections
that make his story so tragic. Another tragic part of the play is the plays irony. Irony is an
important tool in the hands of the playwright to achieve both comical and/or dramatic effect. There
is usually little reason for a tragedy to be funny, so
Shakespeare has used this tool to add more tragedy to the play. I will investigate the nature of this
irony. Also, I will investigate the types of conflict that play a major part in the play...show more
content...
One occurrence of irony I found particularly striking was the fact that Hamlet effectively maneuvers
himself into the same position as Claudius. Claudius had attacked and killed a man who did not
have the opportunity to defend himself, but when Hamlet kills Polonius, is he not guilty of the
same? It is intriguing that both Claudius and Hamlet have killed fathers. It is interesting to see
how these two completely different characters deal with this problem in different ways. Other
interesting parallels I found are the numerous deaths by poison. Hamlet's father was murdered by
Claudius with poison. In the final act, the queen is the first to be poisoned, by drinking from
Hamlet's cup. Then, Hamlet is wounded by the poisoned tip of Laertes' sword. When they change
swords, Hamlet gets the upper hand and Laertes is poisoned. When the queen dies, Laertes
explains all to Hamlet, before he dies. Hamlet then kills Claudius before dying himself. It is ironic
that, as Claudius is poisoned because of his own plotting, he had already signed his own death
warrant when he killed Hamlet's father, the first tragic action of the play. There are only three people
in this play who don't die by poisoning: Rosencrantz and Guildenstern meet their deaths in England,
after being outsmarted by Hamlet. The third is Ophelia, who is drowned.
There are three types of conflict I can identify in the play: 'man versus man', 'man versus nature' and
'man versus
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7. Hamlet: Literary Essay
In the play of Hamlet, Shakespeare sets up three plots of revenge which involve three characters,
each determined to avenge their deceased loved ones. Revenge is essentially a recurring element in
the play and can be noted as an important theme. Revenge is often lead by uncontrolled emotions,
affecting an individual's thoughts and feelings differently and provoking the individual to act
without a reason. The play helps us question the justifiability and benefits of revenge through the
story's individual characters. King Hamlet appears as a ghost and informs Hamlet that he was
murdered in his sleep by Claudius. He tells his son that while he was sleeping, Claudius poured
poison into his ear. Hamlet is shocked by the ghosts words. The...show more content...
(IV.5.135) Claudius is able to manipulate Laertes and Hamlet in a duel, claiming that "Revenge
should have no bounds" (IV.7.128) and promising that Hamlet would be poisoned to death. At this
point of the play, all three sons are committed to avenging their father's deaths. Laertes is also
notified that Ophelia has drowned, further upsetting him, and worsening the current situation. The
three significant characters: Hamlet, Fortinbras, and Laertes each have their own ways of
seeking vengeance, for their father's deaths and obtaining their desires. Fortinbras uses revenge
as an excuse to send in his army to take back the territories his father lost to King Hamlet, which
justifies that he wants some sort of control. Hamlet and Laertes know that their father's have been
wronged. Hamlet suffers from depression, and the kingdom does not know the true reason behind
his father's death, so he is determined to reveal truth and overturn his uncle. Laertes is enraged
about his father and sister's unnecessary death, blaming Hamlet for the cause of it. The play can
be viewed as a tragic story with multiple deaths mainly provoked by members of their own family
and kingdom. They are forced to duel, and fight to the death to honor their father's soul, rather then
to resolve the situation in a civilized way. The motif: revenge is recurring because the characters of
the play feel the need avenge their fathers, they are driven mad by it, as it takes control of their
mind. Their eyes are
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8. Hamlet Essay examples
Hamlet Hamlet Critique
Hamlet, a play by William Shakespeare, was written in approximately the middle to late 1590's,
while Shakespeare's work was flourishing, and his company was putting up the Globe Theater.
Shakespeare was a profound writer, and Hamlet is considered to be his most prolific writing, and is
a favorite among the readers. It is a tragic tale of conspiracy, death, disease, and a young man's
struggle to avenge his father's murder.
I would like to set apart Hamlet from the array of characters in this play, as to analyze him from a
formalist point of view. To start off, Hamlet was, of course, the main character. As a promising king,
his life is suddenly torn apart by his father's death, and his mother, Gertrude's...show more content...
Some of the most common were his uses of dramatic irony, subplots, monologues and dialogues,
soliloquies, asides, and even contractions and invented words. He also added things to help move the
play along, things of interest, such as ghosts, letters, eavesdropping, love, violence, music, fools, and
sound effects. Hamlet, in its entirety is an excellent example of these things. For instance, the one
that you might notice right off the bat, is the use of a ghost, which appears throughout the play to
instruct young Hamlet. Hamlet always interacts with the ghost, and that adds drama, and a bit of
spookiness to the play.
Another critical element about Hamlet is used in Shakespeare verse forms. Language in this play
can tell the reader what kind of person is talking. For instance, Polonius talks in rhyme verse very
often, which was used by fools, lovers, and often times fairies and other mythical creatures (in
Shakespeare's works). Since Polonius rarely makes sense, and talks circles around himself, rhyme
verse is appropriate because Polonius is a fool. Hamlet, usually talks in blank verse, which was
used by royalty and those of high intelligence. This would make sense, since Hamlet is of royal
blood. Shakespeare was very clever in using this technique to give the reader an idea of a character's
personality, background, attitude, etc. (That is, if you can actually understand Shakespeare!).
One more element I would like to assess
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