This play exhibits tragedy because, though Proctor had many opportunities to change his fate, he chooses his demise because his tragic flaw prohibits him from doing otherwise. John Proctor is the tragic hero of the play, “The Crucible.” He has a high social status in the town, yet, because of his tragic flaw, he cannot bring himself to prevent his own death and tragic downfall. Proctor exhibits these tragic traits, making this play a tragedy of self-respect prevailing over shame and public
Hamlet, the young prince of Denmark, is considerably successful in keeping his promise to the ghost of his father. While he manages to purge Denmark of its corruption and avenge his father’s death by killing Claudius, the commandment does not live “all alone…within the book and volume” of Hamlets brain, he is not indecisive, but morally astute. Hamlet finds himself trapped between two moral imperatives, whether to obey his filial duty to his father or commit a mortal sin by killing another man. Ultimately, Hamlet overcomes his moral complication and fulfils the ghost’s wishes. From the outset of the play, and the first appearance of the ghost, Hamlet knows what he must do; however, his moral obligations get in the way.
His morality is revealed when he questions Fortinbras’ motives – is it right to allow so many men to die when fighting for a worthless piece of land? Hamlet’s passion for revenge is resurrected by the sight of the troops and he vows to take action – ‘My thoughts be bloody or be nothing worth.’ The state of Denmark is in chaos (because the wrong king is on the throne) and this manifests itself through the mini rebellion on the castle with the return of Laertes. Laertes is Hamlet’s best foil in the play. Now that each of them has a father to avenge the contrast between the pair reaches its peak. Laertes has no time for thoughts or moral reflection; he is hard set on revenge.
Laertes’ father- Polonius is mistakenly killed by Hamlet. Therefore, at this point, Laertes has a similar situation as Hamlet. Laertes resolves to avenge his father’s death on Hamlet as Hamlet decides to avenge his father’s death on Claudius. However, the way they each avenge for their fathers’ death is opposite to one another. While Hamlet is self-conflicting with plans, Laertes is taking action immediately after he knows of his father’s murder.
Chart Outlining Incidents of Dramatic Irony Example of Dramatic Irony from Acts I & II|CharactersInvolved|Sympathy? Antipathy?|Reason your sympathies lean as they do|Evidence – Lines and Explanation of Effect| Act1 Sc.5 |Hamlet|Sympathy towards hamlet |Because he figures out including the readers, the truth behind his father’s death. |The Ghost reveals to hamlet that he was murdered and not bit by a snake like everyone in Denmark believes.| |Claudius|Antipathy towards Claudius |Because we begin to hate him when we figured out that he was the one behind his own brother’s murder. |Claudius: “Now Hamlet hear… Now wears his crown”. | End of Act1 Sc.5 |Hamlet |Sympathies with hamlet |Because he has to know put on an act, pretend madness to deceive
Macbeth, after becoming King and plunging further and further into evil, orders for Banquo to be killed, as in the mind of Macbeth, Banquo has gone from his dearest friend to it being that, “There is none but he/ Whose being I fear” (3.1.54-55). At the end of the play, the men he once called his comrades, his countrymen, are the once turned against him. Instead of being surrounded by troops of friends, he is surrounded by troops of enemies (Barnet xxxi). The ones that still did stick by his side were not his true friends though, as they were just, “constrained things/ Whose hearts are absent too” (5.4.13-14). In the end
Even in similar circumstances, Hamlet has a different approach than the other two foil characters to his father’s death. Although Hamlet and Laertes share several characteristics, their attitudes differ greatly. Laertes actions are purely guided by his feelings, while Hamlet’s only by his mind. Proof of this is when Hamlet apologizes to Laertes and he accepts the apology but then clarifies that in terms of honor he isn’t satisfied. "I am satisfied in nature, / Whose motive, in this case, should stir me most / To my revenge: but in my terms of honour / I stand aloof" Act V sc.
He has no men, no honor, no loyalty and no love. Instead of having these luxuries of a king, he has an overwhelming guilt – all because he killed Duncan. Macbeth realizes that since he performed many acts of evil, he will not receive good consequences but rather a life of sorrow and depression. On account of understanding what he did was unsound and evil, he accepts that he deserves these and therefore, is considered a classic tragic hero. With the death of Macbeth, William Shakespeare shows an insight of a perfect example of a classic tragic hero.
As he says “To be, or not to be: that is the question: Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer...” Hamlet contemplates suicide, due to a lack of trust in himself. Hamlet does not trust that he can take revenge on Claudius and move on. Shakespeare displays Hamlet’s lack of trust through characterization. Hamlet is displayed as a macabre, pessimistic and suicidal character. .“A damn'd defeat was made.
Again Macbeth’s conscience comes into play when he says, “We still have judgement here; that we but teach / Bloody instruction, which being taught return / To plague the inventor: this even-handed justice,” (I, vii, 8-10). He knows what he is doing wrong and that there will be consequences even before he murders Duncan. Macbeth is a weak man however, and ignores his conscience; he instead gives in to his power-hungry wife’s greed and allows his ambition to lead him on a dastardly journey. Although it may seem as though Duncan’s murder was not only Macbeth’s doing, he had a