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Hamlet Oedipus Flaws

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Contrary to Aristotle’s definition of a tragic hero, Arthur Miller believes a tragic hero can be an ordinary person. According to Miller, these people are trying to find their place in society. Their tragic flaw is their willingness to die for their pride and dignity. In Oedipus Rex, Oedipus begs the king to execute him so he can regain his pride and atone for his sins. In Hamlet, Hamlet’s arrogance allowed Claudius to plot his death. In Death of a Salesman, Willy Loman commits suicide in order to save his dignity. In the anime Naruto, Sasuke is constantly shunned and puts his life on the line to get recognition from his village. Each of these characters’ tragic flaw is hubris and this leads to their downfall. The foundation of Oedipus’ tragic …show more content…

Hamlet's insanity is a mask to hide his plans of revenge. For the majority of the play, Hamlet is able to keep Claudius and Polonius off his trail because of this. They do not know what kind of threat he poses. It is under cover of madness that Hamlet presents the play within a play entrap the Claudius. Hamlet uses appearance of madness to his advantage as he plots the assassination of Claudius. But in all of his acting, Hamlet does not ever think someone suspects him of being suspicious. Hamlet is so confident in his acting that he is completely oblivious to the fact that Claudius is not convinced by his external facade. Claudius suspects that Hamlet is not lovesick, stating “there’s something in his soul, O’er which his melancholy sits on brood” (3.1.155-156). Hamlet’s act is good, but while others see madness, Claudius sees manipulation. Claudius’s suspicion that something dangerous is going on with Hamlet and plans to have Hamlet killed, and Hamlet is so proud that he overlooks this completely. If Hamlet had been more proactive he would have realized his act is starting to fall through and would have killed Claudius sooner. However, Hamlet thought he had all the time in the world to plan the death of his uncle. Hamlet had the upper hand throughout the play, but he is blinded by his pride and did think someone would see through his

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