Research Paper on Shakespearean Tragedies
Initially, William Shakespeare, perhaps the greater playwright of all time, wrote a number of works consisting of comedies, sonnets, and tragedies. Arguably William Shakespeare's magnum opus, Hamlet, is the classic example of a tragedy. In almost all tragedies the hero suffers, and usually dies at the end. Othello stabs himself, Romeo and Juliet commit suicide, Brutus falls on his sword, and like them Hamlet dies by being cut with a poison tipped sword. But sometimes a hero doesn't need to die. There are more elements needed to proclaim a character a tragic hero in a Shakespearean sense. The tragic hero must display strength of character, be fully aware of every assault upon him, and is endowed with the power of expression. In Hamlet, the tragic hero is weaved into the theme. Characters, Ophelia, Laertes, and Hamlet all pose important roles in the novel. Two of which are tragic heroes, one of which does not meet or exceed the criteria.
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First of all, Ophelia does not have all of the elements needed to be considered a Shakespearean tragic hero. She doesn't have the strength of character needed to match the harmful matters thrown at her. Ophelia doesn't have an opinion of her own. "I do not know, my lord, what I should think." (1.3.110) When her verbose father tells her what to do, she is submissive and obeys immediately. "I shall obey, my lord."(1.3.143) Next, Ophelia can't be a tragic hero because she is not aware of the assault against her. When the megalomaniac, Claudius, and his drooling sycophant Polonius want to determine the root of Hamlet's insanity, they use poor obsequious Ophelia as bait for Hamlet and she isn't aware if this sneaky scheme.
Secondly, Laertes does exhibit qualities of a tragic hero in a Shakespearean sense. He has a very strong character needed to survive in Elsinore. He stands up to powerful characters, such as the King. "How came he be dead? I'll not be juggled with!" (4.5.141) He is not always aware of the assaults against him, but sometimes demonstrates that ability. Laertes uses the power of expression with his sister. He tells her that Hamlet really doesn't love her and that everything he says are lies. "Think it no more."(1.3.13)
Finally, the most important tragic hero, Hamlet exhibits all three elements of a hero the best out of the three characters. Hamlet is paranoid and worrisome about everything. Although Hamlet is over analytical, he has a strong character. He stands up to his mother and uncle when he doesn't approve of their marriage. "Mother, you have my father much offended." (3.4.11) He knows of the assaults planned against him, but thought too much and didn't act on them. Since he didn't act on his first thoughts, he is stabbed and told of the plot against him by Laertes. "I can no more: the king, the king's to blame." (5.2.340) The embittered Hamlet uses his power of expression to anyone around him, but is careful of what he says.
William Shakespeare's tragic heroes exhibit similar characteristics, but not all of his characters are tragic heroes. Of his works, Hamlet is one of his best. In this story, the two tragic heroes die, but in all instances this isn't true. A tragic hero can be found with the qualities of a strong character, aware of assaults against him, and has the power of expression. Hamlet and Laertes show these qualities, but Ophelia does not.
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First of all, Ophelia does not have all of the elements needed to be considered a Shakespearean tragic hero. She doesn't have the strength of character needed to match the harmful matters thrown at her. Ophelia doesn't have an opinion of her own. "I do not know, my lord, what I should think." (1.3.110) When her verbose father tells her what to do, she is submissive and obeys immediately. "I shall obey, my lord."(1.3.143) Next, Ophelia can't be a tragic hero because she is not aware of the assault against her. When the megalomaniac, Claudius, and his drooling sycophant Polonius want to determine the root of Hamlet's insanity, they use poor obsequious Ophelia as bait for Hamlet and she isn't aware if this sneaky scheme.
Secondly, Laertes does exhibit qualities of a tragic hero in a Shakespearean sense. He has a very strong character needed to survive in Elsinore. He stands up to powerful characters, such as the King. "How came he be dead? I'll not be juggled with!" (4.5.141) He is not always aware of the assaults against him, but sometimes demonstrates that ability. Laertes uses the power of expression with his sister. He tells her that Hamlet really doesn't love her and that everything he says are lies. "Think it no more."(1.3.13)
Finally, the most important tragic hero, Hamlet exhibits all three elements of a hero the best out of the three characters. Hamlet is paranoid and worrisome about everything. Although Hamlet is over analytical, he has a strong character. He stands up to his mother and uncle when he doesn't approve of their marriage. "Mother, you have my father much offended." (3.4.11) He knows of the assaults planned against him, but thought too much and didn't act on them. Since he didn't act on his first thoughts, he is stabbed and told of the plot against him by Laertes. "I can no more: the king, the king's to blame." (5.2.340) The embittered Hamlet uses his power of expression to anyone around him, but is careful of what he says.
William Shakespeare's tragic heroes exhibit similar characteristics, but not all of his characters are tragic heroes. Of his works, Hamlet is one of his best. In this story, the two tragic heroes die, but in all instances this isn't true. A tragic hero can be found with the qualities of a strong character, aware of assaults against him, and has the power of expression. Hamlet and Laertes show these qualities, but Ophelia does not.
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