Abstract
The paper attempts to show that the character of Hamlet, from Shakespeare's "The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark", is far from an uncaring coward, but is in fact very cunning, thoughtful and extremely dedicated to his revenge. The paper discusses how Hamlet is very passionate about his revenge, and will go to any lengths to achieve it.

From the Paper
"Despite the common misconception in William Shakespeare's The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince Of Denmark that Hamlet is a coward and has little heart to pursue revenge, a close examination of the tragedy proves that he is actually extremely driven and very thoughtful in his revenge. In many situations through the tragedy, Hamlet appears to be scared and uncaring for his revenge; he often gives off the impression of a coward who will not stand up to Claudius. However, Hamlet shows a deep passion for his revenge, far from the uncaring character some see. There is also a distinction between thoughtful and being a coward, and if we look a little closer, we can see that Hamlet is simply considering every aspect of his revenge."

Tags:Claudius, Polonius

Abstract
This paper focuses on the tragedy of "Hamlet" as it reflects the definition of what a tragedy is. The Aristotelian model of tragedy and the tragic hero are used as a reference to what makes a play a tragedy and what qualifies the character of Hamlet as a tragic hero.

From the Paper
"For centuries people of all social classes have attended plays to escape reality and to be entertained. In the Elizabethan period one form of play that most fascinated its audience was the tragedy. In a typical Elizabethan tragedy men and women were presented as confronting powers outside themselves, facing them with a dignity which shows the audience the essence of the human spirit against tremendous odds which could result in pain, suffering, downfall, or perhaps even death. Shakespeare wrote many tragic plays such as King Lear, Julius Caesar, Macbeth, Othello, and Hamlet (Bedford par.1). Many of these tragedies utilized, as the main character, the Tragic Hero. Many philosophers, writers, and critics alike have speculated the necessary characteristics needed for a character to be considered a "tragic hero." Aristotle, the philosopher, formulated a criteria for a tragedy and a tragic hero long before such plays as King Lear and Hamlet. Yet the character of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark, fits perfectly the rules set by the Aristotelian Model of Tragedy and the Tragic Hero. Aristotle believed, among other tings, that "the tragic hero is of a high social and moral stature. This stature provides the "height" from which the hero falls" (Cowlin par. 3). In order for a hero to be considered a "tragic hero," it was necessary for the hero's fall to be the result of a flaw or error in judgment known sometimes as the "tragic flaw." Lastly, the hero must, at some point of the story, come to a moment of recognition wherein they come to an epiphany of the extent of his or her flaw (Cowlin par.5). The character of Shakespeare's Hamlet corresponds with the Aristotelian Model of a Tragic Hero."

Tags:aristotle, elizabethan, plays

Abstract
This paper analyzes two tragedies by Shakespeare, "Hamlet" and "Timons of Athens" and the Greek tragedy, "Antigone," by Sophocles. The paper discusses that the central theme common to all of these tragedies involves the conflict of rules and regulations of the state imposing on the will of humanity. The paper examines and analyzes the specific conflicts and protagonists in each of these tragedies.

From the Paper
"In these three plays Antigone, Hamlet, and Timons of Athens, we see the sharp conflict between characters that have ideals or follow high human laws and the impositions and restriction of state laws. The central conflict here is that the state imposes certain guidelines that are anathema, or restrictive to the human soul. Yet humanity must compromise and adjust to those laws in order to survive and thrive. However, there are times where the impositions of the state go against the humanistic principles of human beings, this is the problem that arises for Antigone."

Tags:drama, tragedy, society, humanity, shakespeare, sophocles

Abstract
This paper examines how both Gloria Naylor's "Mama Day" and William Shakespeare's "Hamlet" exemplify the qualities of classic tragedy. It looks at how "Mama Day" is a mimicry of Shakespeare's use of elements to completely delineate tragedy that is, however, marked with contradiction. It analyzes how the characters and plot in each work follow the general rules of tragedy in divergent ways and how George and Hamlet are proved to be the tragic heroes. It shows how their dissimilar paths through life guide them both to parallel endings and how deliberation versus action and knowledge versus acceptance are the two questions that lead each tragic hero to his death.

From the Paper
"The suffering in a tragedy is characterized as exceptional and unexpected. Before the murder of King Hamlet, Denmark was in all its glory, occupying part of Norway and Hamlet was a content student at the University of Wittenberg. The state of everything changes when Claudius' scheme of domination is put into play as he kills Hamlet's father and marries his mother, Gertrude. This creates a strong contrast to the prior glory the characters had. The characters of Mama Day similarly displayed a prosperity crushed by conflict. George and Ophelia, though two strong-willed adults, finally found harmony with one another. Their two opposite upbringings and philosophies balanced, and they had a successful married life. George's long-anticipated trip to Willow Springs began their final plight."

Tags:george, death, denmark, new, york, claudius

Abstract
This paper discusses and compares Oedipus and Hamlet, the title characters of two of the most timeless tragedies ever written. The writer focuses on the question of what each may have believed and how their faith may have impacted the outcome of their lives. Both men were either predestined or encouraged to kill their fathers or father figures. Oedipus appears to be the victim of inevitability and his tragedy is the imbalance of fate versus one's own responsibility for one's life. Hamlet, on the other hand, is made aware of Claudius' crime and has choices to make. The paper concludes that Hamlet, supposedly a Christian who might have been expected to know better, far more than the unknowing Oedipus, was his own worst enemy.

From the Paper
"Oedipus was meant to encounter the dire fate that was forecast. However, the tragedy of Oedipus really has another meaning: Choices must be made and carefully weighed. On one hand, it is a stubborn willingness to let the fates decide one's destiny. On the other, the continuing search for "truth" and denying the forces that have predicted that "truth." We know from historians the ancients did not doubt that men could choose, and, through choice, exercise some control over the disposition of their lives. Pit this against what Sophocles has Oedipus claim about man's inability to change the minds of the gods. He is a victim, therefore, because he was unable or unwilling to take responsibility for his own life and uses his search for the ultimate truth as a sort of "smokescreen" to retain and build his power."

Tags:Christianity, destiny, truth, denial, hero, subconscious, Freud, tragic

Abstract
This paper discusses how William Shakespeare?s version of "Hamlet" is one of the most well known revenge tragedies ever written and how it is still widely admired today. It considers how Shakespeare represents the pyschomacia an avenger must undertake when contemplating murder. It also examines how he manages to represent the god fearing opinion of the Elizabethan audience with Hamlet?s vacillation and his fright of God?s condemnation as well as the modern audience of today with Claudius?s eventual murder.

From the Paper
"The main exploration of Hamlet's revenge is in the soliloquies in the play. Here the audience gets to see past Hamlet's "antic disposition" and into the bewildered mind of a confused avenger. Hamlet's cerebration causes him to turn his raging emotional turmoil into unequivocal action "Yet I like a John a dreams". Hamlet asks an actor to deliver a Pyrrhus speech to summon up his courage but all he can do is "like a whore unpack my heart with words." Hamlet's vacillation between the classical and Christian attitudes to revenge display how complex the action is. He wishes to live vicariously through a hero like Pyrrhus but fears God's condemnation if he commits the act. The Elizabethan audience would frown upon the act of revenge and the modern audience would have a more mixed reaction."

Tags:tragedy, claudius, god, elizabethan

Abstract
This paper deals with the protagonist Hamlet, and his inability to complete his task of revenge. Although Hamlet does kill Claudius, who is his uncle and the man who killed his father, the plan for revenge is not properly fulfilled due to elements that cause Hamlet's downfall and his unfortunate demise. The essay discusses how the factors of procrastination, melancholic behavior, and constant indecision stop Hamlet from properly fulfilling the task assigned by the ghost of Old Hamlet.

From the Paper
"Hamlet observes how Fortinbras is willing to go blindly to Poland, to fight for a piece of land, which is worthless, all in the name of honor. When he looks at himself, he sees that he is not a man of action. The prince has had months of time to fulfill his act of revenge, which he has all the reason for, but he has not gotten any closer to his goal than the first day. Fortinbras, on the other hand, appears as a foil to Hamlet, highlighting his own quick-acting ability, and contrasting Hamlet's continuing procrastination. The extensive delay of Hamlet's revenge is what creates a tragedy and contributes to his downfall at the end of the play. As well as the stretching of time, Hamlet is also not up to the task assigned to him by the ghost because he is melancholic and too overwhelmed by other surrounding situations."

Tags:claudius, death, downfall, ghost, hamlet, hero, procrastination, shakespeare, tragedy

Abstract
This paper presents an examination of Hamlet's stature as a tragic hero in William Shakespeare's drama "Hamlet." The paper cites his tragic status as emanating from his failure to act on account of his extreme dedication to rationality and moral issues.

From the Paper
"In order to appreciate how William Shakespeare's character Hamlet reaches the status of tragic hero, it is important to know what attributes the experts believe a tragic hero should have. The foremost theorist of tragedy, Aristotle, describes the characteristics of tragic heroes in a highly specific way. Aristotle insists that the tragic hero owns his actions completely and is culpable in his catastrophe. According to Aristotle, the tragic hero is a generally decent individual always of noble birth. According to the social mores of the classical period whose misery can ..."

Tags:Hamlet, Shakespeare, tragic hero, tragedy, tragic hero definition, Aristotle

Abstract
This paper details the points of a tragedy and a tragic hero, and how these points are at work in Shakespeare's "Hamlet." There is ample use of descriptions of the play to help explain these points. An outline of the paper is included at the end.

From the Paper
"In drama, a tragedy recounts a series of events in the life of a person of significance or nobility. These events culminate in an unhappy catastrophe, forever altering the life of those involved. The tragedy centers on the tragic protagonist, in this case, Hamlet, Prince of Denmark, a noble character with all the marks of dignity. Hamlet, like all tragic heroes, is a noble character. He comes from royalty and with this high position comes the respect of his kingdom and friends. He is obviously a natural leader and has the ability to take charge of a situation, we as an audience see this as he concocts his plan for revenge, immediately entangling his friend Horatio as a conspirator. From playing a madman to finding an acting troop to put on his play to catch his uncle, Hamlet shines as a leader and a quick thinker."

Tags:claudius, denmark, hamlet, hero, nobility, polonious, shakespeare, tragedy, tragic

Abstract
An analysis of Shakespeare's famous play, "Hamlet", concentrating on the storyline and characters. The author discusses Hamlet's contemplative nature and shows its importance. The author feels that if Hamlet was able to put aside his thoughts earlier, Claudius would have been killed in the second act, and the play would be about forty-five minutes long. But the author of this paper believes that Shakespeare does not make Hamlet's rational thoughts disappear until Act III, at the death of Polonius, making Hamlet one of Shakespeare's longest plays. He feels that Shakespeare uses the death of Polonius to show what happens to a man when he kills another human being. In this play, the author says, the murder of Polonius starts a chain reaction of the rest of the deaths the tragedy has to offer.

From the Paper
"There are people in this world who are thinkers and dreamers, who think things through completely before anything gets done. And there are people who get things done without thinking too much before hand. In Shakespeare's Hamlet, the main character, Hamlet, is a complex character who thinks about everything to the point where things don't get accomplished. Throughout the play, the audience can see that Hamlet is a procrastinator, and he cannot kill Claudius, even when he has numerous chances to do so. The key moment in the play when Hamlet's mindset changes is when he mistakenly kills Polonius. Shakespeare decided to include the murder of Polonius to show that by killing a man, Hamlet's mindset has changed and his rational instincts are gone, allowing him to finally avenge his father's death by killing Claudius."

Tags:death, Hamlet, killing, Shakespeare, tragedy, character, Polonius, Claudius