Hamlet Tragic Hero

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A tragedy occurs when the resolution to a story is upsetting to the reader because the protagonist suffers an preventable and unjust fate, usually from some decision made early in the plot. This genre of storytelling only achieves its full potency when the audience cares deeply for the character, creating a poignant and melancholy atmosphere after his or her death. At some point, it is essential for the him of her to display admirable qualities and be in a position to achieve great deeds in order to make the inevitable fall even greater. Whether they are popular movie icons like Maximus from Ridley Scott's Gladiator or characters from ancient literature like Achilles from Homer's The Iliad, all tragic heroes possess this potential for greatness, …show more content…
This quality is displayed during the first act of the play when he addresses one palace guard by his name and the other as “sir,” both greetings being far too informal for men of Hamlet's status to make. Also, Hamlet's confides constantly in his closest friend Horatio, a commoner whose presence Hamlet greatly cherishes. He even says to Horatio that “'since my dear soul was mistress of her choice and could of men distinguish, her election hath sealed thee for herself'” (Act 3, Scene 2, Lines 67-69). Hamlet clearly sets an example as a perceptive, intelligent individual who can relate to the average citizen, thus making him a better suited king that his uncle Claudius. However, Hamlet is simply too thoughtful and indecisive to assume the crown from his uncle and lacks the ambition needed to place himself in a position of power. For instance, as Hamlet is about to slay his traitorous uncle during prayer he hesitates and says, “'And so he goes to heaven, and so am I revenged. That would be scanned: a villain kills my father, and for that, I, his sole son, do this same villain send to heaven'” (Act 3, Scene 3, Lines 79-83). Hamlet believes that Claudius' soul would ascend to heaven if he were to die during confession, leaving him with a better fate than Hamlet's father who remains tormented in purgatory. In …show more content…
Being the Thane of Glamis, Macbeth begins his story with a significant amount of influence in his society and faithfully serves King Duncan. While he and his close friend Banquo fight an invading Norwegian army, a messenger reports to Duncan that they “'were as cannons overcharged with double cracks, so they doubly redoubled strokes upon the foe. Except they meant to bathe in reeking wounds'” (Act 1, Scene 2, Lines 40-43). Macbeth proves his worth by demonstrating that he can protect the Scottish people from foreign enemies by rallying the troops and claiming victory. Duncan merely waits idly by for the fate of his kingdom to be determined, unable to play a role in the outcome. Because of such ineffectual leadership, Macbeth naturally becomes interested in replacing Duncan after three witches foresee his future kingship. However, despite his great aspirations, he initially remains unwilling to turn against Duncan and is only convinced to kill him after being prodded by Lady Macbeth. In order to shame his timidity, she says, “'Yet do I fear thy nature; it is too full o' th' milk of human kindness to catch the nearest way. Thou wouldst be great, art not without ambition, but without the illness should attend it'” (Act 1, Scene 5, Lines 16-20). This brief insight reveals
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