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Hamlet: A Study of Tragic Elements

Hamlet is a well-known Shakespearean tragedy that has been studied by many generations of students. The tumultuous life of the Danish royal family, mixed with supernatural elements, is analyzed through the perspective of Prince Hamlet. The play contains all the typical characteristics of tragedy, including a heroic protagonist whose complex philosophical thinking leads him to question what he sees. Avenging a murder is Hamlet's main motivation, and the tension in his conscience between reality and loyalty to his father drives the plot. By the end of the play, all major characters are dead, making it a true tragedy and leaving the Danish throne to a foreigner.

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91 views1 page

Hamlet: A Study of Tragic Elements

Hamlet is a well-known Shakespearean tragedy that has been studied by many generations of students. The tumultuous life of the Danish royal family, mixed with supernatural elements, is analyzed through the perspective of Prince Hamlet. The play contains all the typical characteristics of tragedy, including a heroic protagonist whose complex philosophical thinking leads him to question what he sees. Avenging a murder is Hamlet's main motivation, and the tension in his conscience between reality and loyalty to his father drives the plot. By the end of the play, all major characters are dead, making it a true tragedy and leaving the Danish throne to a foreigner.

Uploaded by

miruna vasile
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Hamlet – a royal tragedy

Hamlet is a well-known Shakespearian opera that has been studied by many generations of
students and has been a teacher favourite because of the many inserted symbols. The
tumultuous life of Danish royalties mixed with supernatural elements have been analysed by
the young mind of a prince.

In the English literature we see that a tragedy is branch of drama that treats in a serious and
dignified style the sorrowful or terrible events encountered or caused by a heroic individual.
By extension the term may be applied to other literary works, such as the novel. Here we see
that not any sort of disaster can be classified as such. The origin of the term is Greek and they
do had a pleasure for magnifying a misfortune, by putting it into a play they have birthed the
theatre. Aristotle said that a tragedy should make the public feel pity and fear.

Shakespeare is a go to author when it comes to powerful feelings and in Hamlet we can find
all the typical characteristics of a public moving play. The prince’s complex vision on life is
linked to his origins, his access to education was a step forward to a philosophical way of
thinking, leading to many questions even on things that unravel before his eyes. Avenge by
murder is the most used motivation in a tragedy. Here the play ends with all the major
characters being dead making the text an absolute tragedy. The tension hold in the hero’s
conscience is a struggle between the now known reality and his faithfulness towards his
father.

How could his loving mother be on the other side of the story? This question brings the
tragedy to a higher level, not ignoring love as a power trigger in the story, a mother’s
influence in anyone’s life is undeniable. The specific language brings the characters drama to
life. The supernatural element, a ghost, creates a physical chill which bonded with the lost
king’s authority provokes a general fear. Hamlet’s reluctant actions may be generated by fear
also, not only a very deep love for his father. The desire for justice and the prince’s fight can
be considered an universal tragic motive in the general context of life.

Since all the characters die at the end of the play the throne has to be given to a foreigner. It is
an absolute tragedy in a way. The horror, violence and bloodshed on the stage create a kind
of unnerving scene.

The universal literature tells us that love is the ultimate feeling and can be a perfect
understandable reason for any death but here revenge of the father’s death even in war with a
mother is the main subject. The tragedy of love is secondary even this turns out to be a very
useful leant. The hero’s final thought is still towards vengeance and his mission is fulfilled
but in the public’s mind all innocent deaths leave a dramatic trail.

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