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Hamlet's Tragic Flaw

The first to die is Polonius, chief counselor to Claudius. Polonius dies when Hamlet stabs him through a wall hanging. Some may argue that it is Polonius's fault that he dies, saying that if he would not have been eavesdropping then Hamlet would have never killed him. However, others may argue that Polonius's death is Gertrude's fault for screaming for help. But it is Hamlet's fault for not believing the ghost. When Hamlet kills Polonius it is one of the few times that he actually does act on impulse. "Is it the king?" (3.4.28) asks Hamlet. Unfortunately, it is not the king and Hamlet has killed an innocent man. The death of Polonius could have been prevented if Hamlet would not have questioned what the ghost told him. But Hamlet wants to make sure that what the ghost told him is true before he kills Claudius. Hamlet gets some players to put on a play for the king and queen. The play, called The Murder of Gonzago involves a scene in which a king is murdered by someone pouring poison in his ear. Hamlet is sure that what the ghost has told him is true when he sees Claudius's reaction to the play. But Hamlet does not kill him right away and because of this Polonius gets killed. Polonius never would have been behind the arras if Hamlet would have killed Claudius as soon as he was sure of his guilt.
             Ophelia's death could have also been prevented if Hamlet would have killed Claudius right away. Ophelia becomes mad after her father's death. Whether or not she was mad because her father died, or because the man she loved (Hamlet) is the one who killed her father is uncertain. Ophelia just walks around the castle singing tunes that do not make any sense in an almost trance-like state. Opelia falls into the stream when the branch she is sitting on breaks. She was weaving garlands and hanging them from the tree. Ophelia dies when Hamlet is away but her death is still his fault.


Essays Related to Hamlet's Tragic Flaw

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Hamlet is considered to be a tragic hero because he has a tragic flaw that in the end, is the cause of his downfall. ... Hamlet's tragic flaw is he spends too much time thinking and not enough time acting. ... He could have prevented his downfall if it wasn't for his tragic flaw. ... It has a tragic hero who possesses a flaw that causes his demise. Hamlet did get done what he wanted to get done, but because of his flaw, he ended up dying. ...

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2. Hamlet As A Tragic Hero

According to Aristotelian dramatic theory, a tragic hero is usually a man of noble standing and good character who possesses a tragic flaw, or hamartia, which eventually contributes to his demise. ... Though this topic is extensively debated by literary critics, Hamlet's tragic flaw, in my opinion, is his intense over-analysis. ... Because of Hamlet's flaw, and ultimately his delay, many innocent people will perish. ... Due to his tragic flaw, the hero usually meets his downfall and tragedy ensues for those surrounding him. ... In the end, Hamlet's tragic flaw brings about ...

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7. Tragic Hero (using Hamlet)

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