Hamlet is full of important literary elements for students to explore. One of these elements is the tragic hero, a protagonist who seems to be ill-fated, and destined for doom. In this play, Hamlet is the tragic hero as he leads himself and many others to their ruin and deaths.
The Greek philosopher, Aristotle, was the articulated the specific attributes or principles of a tragic hero. For the storyboard above, students can use a template to storyboard the qualities that make Hamlet, a tragic hero. The finished product outlines each of Aristotle's principles with a detailed explanation of the specific attributes.
| ATTRIBUTE | DESCRIPTION | Example from Hamlet |
|---|---|---|
| Hamartia | Flaw in the Character | Hamlet’s repeated indecision prevents him from immediately killing Claudius, indirectly causing every other death in the play. |
| Hubris | Excessive Pride | Hamlet believes he is clever enough to beat Claudius and Laertes in any challenge. In the fencing match, Laertes takes advantage of this to poison Hamlet with his fencing blade. |
| Peripeteia | Reversal of Fortune | Hamlet proves to himself that Claudius is guilty, but now Claudius knows he has to kill Hamlet. His first attempt, with Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, fails, but he then arranges the fencing match between Hamlet and Laertes. |
| Anagnorisis | A Moment of Critical Discovery | There are several moments of Anagnorisis in Hamlet. The whole play is set in motion when the Ghost of King Hamlet tells the prince that it is Claudius who has killed him. |
| Nemesis | Fate that Cannot be Avoided | Hamlet's failure to act immediately leads the duel between Hamlet and Laertes, where both men are poisoned and die. |
| Catharsis | Audience's Feeling of Pity or Fear After the Hero's Fall | With the Danish royal family dead, only Horatio is left to tell the story, while the King of Norway claims the crown of Denmark. |
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Create a storyboard that shows how Hamlet can be considered a tragic hero.
Since the concept of a tragic hero is an abstract one, teachers can begin by introducing the attributes of a tragic hero and how students can identify these attributes in different stories. Similarly, teachers can give them different examples and also tell similar concepts such as the famous “Damsel in Distress”.
Start with open-ended questions to lead the discussion on the attributes. Ask the students, why they think such attributes combine to make a tragic hero and the significance of these characters in literature.
Examine and contrast various tragic figures from diverse works. This might assist the students in recognizing recurring themes and distinctive qualities that contribute to the tragic hero archetype.
Tragic hero characteristics aren't just found in fiction. Examine people from history or the present whose lives exhibit the traits of tragic heroes. This can make it easier for you to comprehend how these qualities behave in actual life. Ask the students to apply these attributes to their personal life as well.
Apply what you learn as you gain more understanding of other writing or creative projects. Students can make up their own tragic hero-like figures, or use this perspective to examine personalities they already know.
Hamlet's tragic weakness is his propensity for overanalyzing and delaying decisions, which results in his indecision. He consistently waits to act, especially when it comes to exacting revenge for the killing of his father, which finally leads to his demise.
Yes, Hamlet's noble origins as the Prince of Denmark add to the tragedy's scope. Because of his exalted status, his fall from grace and the effects of his deeds on both his own life and the kingdom are amplified.
Complex interactions between Hamlet and people like his mother Gertrude, Ophelia, and friends Rosencrantz and Guildenstern all add to his tragedy. His inner struggle is complicated by his tense relationship with his mother and his romantic involvement with Ophelia.
Hamlet and other tragic characters like Macbeth and Oedipus have a lot in common. They all have fatal defects that cause them to fail, and they all have times when they recognize those flaws in themselves. However, Hamlet differs from previous tragic heroes because of his contemplative and philosophical temperament.