Hamlet: A Tragic hero

Hamlet: A Tragic hero

Hamlet is considered to be a tragedy but a tragedy needs to have a tragic hero. One of the best definitions of a tragic hero is A.C. Bradley’s which states that they are persons of high degree or public importance, they cause their own downfalls and posses a character flaw , and tragically die in the end. Hamlet possesses all of these characteristics of a tragic hero. He is the son of a king and destined for greatness, caused his downfall using an antic disposition, and finally his own death.
As son of a king and the perfect Renaissance man, Hamlet is destined for greatness. He is born into nobility therefore has a good chance of becoming the King of Denmark someday, as shown when Claudius say “ You are the most immediate to our throne,”(1,2,109). This is important because part of A.C. Bradley’s definition says that the tragic hero is of great importance or nobility therefore their downfall has great consequences. Another important fact is that he is described as the ideal Renaissance man and has a very good education, which is shown when Ophelia describing him as “ The courtier’s, soldier’s, scholar’s eye, tongue, sword . . . The glass of fashion and the mould of
form,”(3,1,154-156). Basically, he has all the qualities to make something great of himself, therefore making his downfall all the more tragic. Aside from being smart and born into nobility, Hamlet is loved by the people of Denmark “ No less nobility of love,”(1,2,110). The people of Denmark love Hamlet and want him to succeed, so the time of his death will devastate Denmark. All of Characteristics make Hamlet’s downfall even more tragic.
Unfortunately all good things must come to an end when Hamlet discovers that his father was murdered and wants revenge. So, he puts on an antic disposition and pretends to be mad which is proof when he is described by one of his friends “ With a crafty madness keeps aloof,”(3,1,8). Another part of A.C. Bradley’s definition is that the...