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Hamlet : A Tragic Hero Essay : Hamlet As A Tragic Hero

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Hamlet as a Tragic Hero
The play, Hamlet, is based in Denmark and written by William Shakespeare between the years of 1599-1601. In the play, Hamlet returns home from college to attend the funeral of his father, King Hamlet, and upon his arrival, Hamlet discovers his mother is already remarried to his father’s brother, Claudius. King Hamlet’s ghost visits Hamlet, and the ghost informs him that his father was murdered. Hamlet plans to avenge the murder of his father. Hamlet puts on a play that reenacts how his father was murdered, and Claudius's reaction proves he committed the crime and is feeling guilty. Through unfortunate events to get revenge, Hamlet sets in motion the events that would ultimately lead to his own death. Hamlet falls in the category of a tragic hero because of his social status and extraordinary qualities, his tragic flaw, and his death is the result of his actions.
Hamlet is a member of the highest social ranks, the nobility, and he is the son of the late King Hamlet which makes him a Prince. His social class, along with his outstanding qualities, are part of what define Hamlet as a tragic hero. While Laertes gives his sister, Ophelia, advice about her personal relationship with Hamlet, he affirms Hamlet’s social class by saying, “His greatness weighed, / The safety and health of this whole state,” (1.3.19-23). By saying this, Laertes shows that Hamlet cannot fall in love with a normal girl because he was born into the royal family, and Hamlet’s choices affect the entire population of Denmark. Not only is Hamlet a member of the nobility, but he has many extraordinary qualities that set him apart from others. Hamlet contends, “‘tis an unweeded garden, / Possess it merely.” (1.2.135-137). This shows that the characteristic of morality makes up a large part of the character, Hamlet, and it provides evidence that Hamlet is concerned for the future of Denmark with Claudius as king. Being concerned for others and what may happen in the future is another quality that Hamlet possesses that makes him a tragic hero. No matter what Hamlet’s social status may be nor the number of great qualities he possesses, his tragic flaw will lead to his downfall.
Throughout the play, Hamlet shows that he has a

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