Hamlet Essays: The Tragic Hero In Shakespeare's Hamlet

The Tragic Hero of Hamlet Defined by the Greek philosopher Aristotle, a tragic hero, in literature, is the main character in a story or piece of writing who has one flaw that brings them to their demise. In William Shakespeare 's play Hamlet, throughout the tragedy there is one character above all the others that fits the part of a tragic hero. The misfortunate protagonist, Prince Hamlet of Denmark who constantly shows the viewers his flaw of procrastination and which ultimately leads him and many other characters to their unfortunate and preventable death. William Shakespeare wrote the play “Hamlet” around 1600 during the renaissance area in England. To this date this play is Shakespeare 's longest play written but many believe that this work of literature was already told before Shakespeare. A 12th-century medieval Scandinavian

After the performance, Gertrude ask the prince to meet and speak with her. On Hamlet’s walk to visit his mother, he discovers claudius kneeling as if he’s praying, giving him the perfect opportunity for his revenge. Once again, Hamlet delays he’s task of vengeance and lets Claudius live. Before leaving Hamlet was slightly complacent, Boyce explains to us, “he spares Claudius because the king is praying and killing Claudius while praying would send him straight to heaven”(.....). Hamlet does not want his uncle to go to heaven he wants him to burn in hell like his father is burning in purgatory. Little to the prince’s knowledge this would be his only chance at fulfilling his quest. To add insult to injury the king was not actually praying. Once the prince silently leaves Claudius to continue his prayers the king speaks to himself saying, “My words fly up, my thoughts remain below: Words without thoughts never to heaven go”(3.3.98-99). Claudius is aware of his sins and knows he will not receive any acknowledgement from any greater beings after his unsavory