paragraphs may be off, the paper was quickly put into HTML format
Brittany C
ENG 205 Great Books
Dr. S
February 7, 2002
A Tragic Flaw For A Tragic Hero
“A tragic flaw is an error or defect in the tragic hero that leads to his downfall.” (http://www.bedfordstmartins.com/literature/bedlit/glossary_t.htm) In the history of literature, if the question of who was the most indecisive character was brought up, Hamlet would be a prime candidate. Hamlet had numerous chances to reap revenge for his father’s death but was only able to follow through after the accidental murder of his mother. Hamlet’s inability to make a decision ultimately leads to his demise, and for that is his tragic flaw.

What makes a tragic hero? Dr. Peter Smith, Associate Professor of English at Kentucky State University, broke the archetypical characteristics of a tragic hero down into six groups. Of the six, four will be discussed, the first being “noble stature.” (http://www.kysu.edu/artsscience/ENG411/tragic%20hero.htm) Smith said that the fall of one with noble stature will not only affect their life but also the lives of the people who look to them for support. Hamlet is the prince of Denmark; the people of Denmark rely on a strong royal family to rule and support the country. Next, Smith discussed the “tragic flaw” (http://www.kysu.edu/artsscience/ENG411/tragic%20hero.htm) which leads to the decline of the hero. Hamlet’s inability to make a decision lead to his death, which will be discussed in more detail further on. Thirdly, Smith says that one must have “free choice. The tragic hero falls because he chooses one course of action over another.” (http://www.kysu.edu/artsscience/ENG411/tragic%20hero.htm) Hamlet is not forced to kill but makes the decision on his own. Finally, Smith says, “the punishment must exceed the crime.” (http://www.kysu.edu/artsscience/ENG411/tragic%20hero.htm) The audience cannot feel the hero’s penalty is what he deserved; there must be a feeling of remorse. Hamlet’s death is an excessive price to pay for the his revenge. Hamlet’s tragic flaw is his inability to act. We are first introduced to this flaw in Act I Scene iv through Act I Scene v. Hamlet encounters the apparition that appears to be his father in scene iv and agrees with Horatio and Marcellus that it does resemble the late king. When he is beckoned to follow the spirit, he does so only after questioning the spirit’s intent: “Be though a spirit of health or goblin damn’d/ Bring with thee airs from heaven or blasts from hell/ Be thy intents wicked or charitable…” (Clark, 1014) He wonders if the spirit is truly his father or only the devil trying to trick him. In scene v the spirit tells him that he was murdered by his brother and that Hamlet must “revenge his [father’s] foul and most unnatural murder.” (Clark, 1015) Hamlet does not jump to conclusions but rather decides that he must prove his uncle’s guilt by having a play performed (Act III Scene ii) that emulates what may have happened when his father was killed. Claudius’ reaction will uncover his guilt or innocence. In the course of the play Claudius calls for the play to be stopped and leaves abruptly. Hamlet takes this to be a sign of guilt. In Act III Scene iii, Hamlet encounters his uncle alone, in his room, praying. As he prepares to kill his uncle, he realizes killing him while in prayer will save his soul and send him to heaven. His father was not able to repent before his death and neither should his uncle. Instead, he waits.

Hamlet’s delay gives Claudius time to plan how to save himself by sending Hamlet away and later to plan the death of his nephew. In sending Hamlet to England Claudius does not have to worry about his safety. With Hamlet’s return though he devices a plot to end his life. When Hamlet and Leartes are to fight in Act V scene ii, Hamlet has yet another opportunity to end the king’s life. After realizing the fencing foils were not dull (as they should be), he had the opportunity to strike Claudius but rather continues to fence. Only when his mother drinks the poisoned wine intended for him does he act. He takes his revenge on his uncle but it is too late because he too has been poisoned and both die.

Don Nardo brings up the idea that possibly Hamlet’s inability to act is brought on because he wants a more civilized way of dealing with the events prior to the play. (Nardo, 72) The problem with this is Hamlet’s swiftness in killing Polonius while he is spying on Hamlet and the Queen in her room in Act III scene iv. Hamlet does not delay in jumping to the conclusion that Claudius is the one behind the curtain and kills Polonius by mistake without a second thought.

Hamlet is a tragic hero because he follows the guidelines set by Dr. Smith; he has noble stature, he has a tragic flaw, he has free choice, and finally, he has unjust punishment. (http://www.kysu.edu/artsscience/ENG411/tragic%20hero.htm) His downfall was his inability to make a decision. He vowed revenge for his father’s death only to stall time and time again until he finally goes through with it only to die himself.

Work Cited Clark, William George, and Wright, William Aldis. The Unabridged William Shakespeare. Philadelphia: Courage Books, 1997. “Glossary of Literary Terms.” The Meyer Literature Site. February 7, 2002. . Smith, Peter. “The Characteristics of an "Archetypal" Tragic Hero”. Characteristics of a Tragic Hero. 2002. Kentucky University. February 7, 2002. .

<<