How Is Hamlet A Hero

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Heroes, they are the biggest and most important characters in any book, play, movie or television show. Without heroes books and shows would be boring. Heroes have many defining traits and qualities that play a very important role in their character and who they are. Heroes show humility, honesty, bravery, and they are smart and decisive. Heroes give us a person to look up to and to look to when we need a good example of what to do in certain situations. William Shakespeare recognized this and re-wrote the role of the traditional hero. For example, in Hamlet, at the beginning of the play Hamlet was your obvious hero and Claudius was your villain; but, by the end of the play, it looked as if they had switched roles. Shakespeare also did not …show more content…
The most obvious way is Hamlet’s use of language, which coincidentally is his downfall. Many tragic heroes have the same common downfalls, things such as arrogance or self-doubt. Hamlet is very smart and articulate, he has a deep understanding of language and its powers. Examples of Hamlets clever and sharp use of language are commonly found throughout the book. He uses long-winded sentences with very intricate wording to bring home and or exaggerate his points, sometimes he even weaves a web with his words to make the subject to which he is speaking to fall into a trap. He uses language as his choice weapon too, when Hamlet was called to Gertrude’s chambers after the play during act three, he speaks with Polonius before he meets with the Queen. Hamlet makes it clear he wants to have a stern conversation with her and says to Polonius, “I will speak daggers to her but use none.” (III.ii.357) Hamlet recognizes the power in words and uses language as his way to hurt people such as him telling Ophelia to “Get thee to a nunnery” (III.i.119) or him calling Polonius a “fish monger” (II.ii.172). Hamlet’s use of language also plays into his downfall too. Because of his long winded speeches and the “antic disposition” he puts on, he misses key chances to exact his revenge. Hamlet isn’t like your typical tragic hero, he is smart, cunning, and articulate and although he breaks the mold, in the end, his fate is sealed because of …show more content…
Othello is unlike the every day tragic hero because he is smart. Although he lacks emotional intelligence because he trusts too easily, falls in love too easily and can get extremely jealous and over passionate, Othello is very intelligent. When it comes to battle, the Duke of Venice says to him (after he finds out the Ottomans are sailing to Cyprus to attack) “Valiant Othello we must straight employ you / Against the general enemy Ottoman” (I.iii.47-48). He is also intelligent when it comes to being professional and acting rationally. When he is accused by Brabantio of using witchcraft to woo and marry Desdemona, Othello reacts calmly saying “my very noble and approved good masters, / That I have tane away this old man’s daughter, / It is most true; true I have married her; / The very head and front of my offending / Hath this extent, no more. Rude I am in my speech / And little blessed with the soft phrase of peace.” (I.iii.77-82) In this case, when accused of evil, Othello reacts calmly and speaks with finesse and in a way that makes the reader and characters within the play feel empathetic towards him. At the beginning of the play, Othello exudes confidence, but, when he lacks confidence towards the middle and end of the plays he becomes insecure and unsure of what to do and is then easily manipulated and thus being one of his major flaws. Othello is a great tragic hero who challenges
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