In “The Tragedy of Hamlet: Prince of Denmark,” William Shakespeare delves into the mysteries of human nature, inviting the reader to ponder concepts of deception, insanity, and revenge. To reveal these concepts, Shakespeare creates his protagonist, Hamlet. According to Aristotle, a tragic hero is “a person who must evoke a sense of pity and fear in the audience. He is considered a man of misfortune that comes to him through error of judgement.” Both a tragic hero and a rebel, Hamlet helps the reader identify the universal themes of the play.

In several instances throughout the play, we see how Hamlet competently acts the part of the tragic hero. For example, Hamlet arouses pity in the reader when we first hear of his insanity in Act II, Scene II, when King Claudius describes “Hamlet’s transformation.” (Shakespeare 750) Furthermore, Hamlet most vividly inspires fear in his audience when he remorselessly murders Polonius in Act III, Scene III, when Hamlet addresses the dead Polonius, “Thou wretched, rash, intruding fool, farewell!” (Shakespeare 786) With the intention of killing Claudius as a means of revenge, Hamlet murders an innocent bystander, with no later feeling of remorse or guilt. In addition, we see Hamlet’s “error of judgement” when he decides to act upon the ghost’s orders and seek revenge by killing Claudius. By resolving to murder his uncle, Hamlet brings about his fiancee’s insanity and suicide, due to her father’s death, his mother’s death from poisoning, and his own death. Through Shakespeare’s many tragedies, a central and recurring theme is that those who seek revenge beget their own misfortune. This theme is clearly expressed in “The Tragedy of Hamlet,” rendering Hamlet a tragic hero.

Although not very clearly reflected in today’s society, Hamlet poses as a rebel in the play. Over the course of the play, Hamlet embraces an increasingly rebellious nature. For instance, in Act I, Scene IV, Hamlet insists on following the Ghost, despite Marcellus and Horatio’s warnings. Later, we find that Hamlet defies the societal norms which oppose his potential marriage to Ophelia, who is not of his status, in his letters to her. Similarly, in Act III, Scene III, Hamlet speaks to his mother shamelessly, abandoning all pretense or due respect. This assertion is affirmed by the Queen who retaliates to Hamlet’s rage, “What have I done, that thou dar’st wag thy tongue in noise so rude against me?” (Shakespeare 786) Finally, Hamlet rebels against his own fate, deciding to murder his uncle, regardless of the consequences. Through his rebellious actions, Hamlet is ultimately conquered by Laertus, who attacks him with a poisoned sword in the last scene of the play.

In conclusion, Hamlet acts as both a tragic hero and a rebel in the play. He does not obey the conformities of society, choosing instead to carve his own path and avenge his father’s death. Hamlet inspires both pity and fear in his audience, and consequently help them identify Shakespeare’s purpose of writing “The Tragedy of Hamlet: Prince of Denmark.”

Ayah Gouda

Works Cited:
Shakespeare, William. Hamlet, Prince of Denmark. From Literature & Composition Reading Writing Thinking by Carol Jago, et al, Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2011, pp. 720-830