Hamlet: The Aristotelian Tragic Hero

While Hamlet is full of self-doubt and conflicting emotions, Laertes is quick to attempt to avenge his father. Laertes immediately jumps to the conclusion that King Claudius is the murderer of his father and he seeks vengeance. He is willing to storm into the Demark court – without thinking – and tell King Claudius that, “only I’ll be revenged most thoroughly for my father” (4.5.132-133). In contrast to Laertes’ sudden actions, Hamlet ponders the chance to kill the man responsible for his father’s death. Even when Claudius is alone and the option is available, Hamlet fails

“Thus conscience does make cowards of us all” (3.1.87) Hamlet is angry with himself that he has let his conscience come in the way. Hamlet was not only obsessed with his own conscience but the conscience of others as well. "The play's the thing, wherein I'll catch the conscience of the king." (2.2.617) Hamlet wants to know what king Claudius is thinking in terms of his conscience before Hamlet acts. Here, Hamlet is thinking with his conscience, instead of just killing Claudius like he wanted to do from the beginning, he needs to confirm the conscience of Claudius to convince his own conscience it is the right thing to do.

After Hamlet is aware that Claudius is the cause of his father's death, he questions what is appropriate for the revenge of his father's death. He questions whether to kill Claudius, but struggles on actually going through with the plan. “The underlying theme remains Hamlet's inaction and his frustration at his own weaknesses. Here, however, Hamlet seems less introspective about his failure to kill Claudius than perhaps his failure to take his own life”(Pressley). After failing to be able to take not only Claudius's life, but his own, he questions his worth as a man.

And the devil hath power to assuming a pleasing shape”. He feels that without proof, the act that he’s about to perform will not be justified at all. Next is that Hamlet wants to fulfill his father 's command for justice yet has a hard time acting swiftly because he feels he must have proof. After Hamlet having the thought of his father’s spirit being the devil he feels that he needs proof before committing the fraud against king claudius. He feels that proof will lead to his conviction of that claudius being the murderer and leading to a righteousness way of doing it.

Brutus’ emotional wound ultimately deals with his internal conflict of the decision to kill Caesar in order to better Rome. In addition, he deals with such difficulty over the decision since his reasoning to kill Caesar does not come out of hatred or jealousy, but due to his fear of life under Caesar’s rule. In Act I, scene ii, lines 39-40, Brutus says, “Merely upon myself. Vexéd I am / Of late passions of some difference” (Shakespeare 848). This quote, from Brutus, means that his own thoughts and conflicts overwhelm him.

Hamlet’s deception stems from his yearning for revenge on his uncle. After Hamlet learns about the true nature of his father’s death, he begins demonstrating his hypocritical qualities. Hamlet attempts to mask his anger towards Claudius; he does not want

His ambition leads him to accept “the very firstlings of [his] heart, shall be/The firstlings of his hand” (4.1.147-148). Hamlet’s promise to avenge his father’s death by killing Claudius is put on hold because his finds himself “thinking to precisely on the’ event” (4.4.40). Hamlet’s indecisiveness is the flaw in his character. He contemplates the reasons not to kill Claudius while Claudius is praying. If Hamlet were to kill Claudius while he is repenting of his sins, he would go to heaven with his acts forgiven.

For instance, he wasn’t sure if the ghost was telling the truth so he modifies the play, The Murder of Gonzago, to resemble the murder of his father. While the actors are performing the play, he will watch Claudius’ reactions to see if he truly is guilty. He also asks Horatio to watch Claudius to have a second opinion because Hamlet’s judgment may be bias. He says, “The play’s the thing wherein I’ll catch the conscience of the King” (II, 2, 60). Another scene in the play where Hamlet thinks logically before lashing out is when he sees Claudius praying and is completely vulnerable, but restrains from killing him.

His conscience still guilty from the murder he had committed. This feeling of guilt showing that Macbeth still had morals, as he did truly doubt the murder plan and had begun to have second thoughts on it. But even though he still felt guilt his power hungry ambition for absolute power was greater. He had even turned against his loyal partner, Banquo, as he was predicted to be the father of a long line of kings. Macbeth growing fear of losing power took over him and he sent murderers to kill Banquo and his son.

Even though Hamlet let’s this opportunity to avenge his father, King Hamlet, slip by due to his dilemma, he is now firm in his decision to avenge his father in retributive justice. Quote: Claudius in the sanctuary, “What if this cursed hand/Were thicker than itself with brother's blood /Is there not rain enough in the sweet heavens/To wash it white as snow?”(Shakespeare, ACT II, Scene