Essay/Term paper: Hamlet 8

Essay, term paper, research paper:  Hamlet

In William Shakespeare's well known tragic play, Hamlet, the main character
Hamlet is defeated by his own flaws. These flaws are the killing of Polonius, the killing of
Claudius, and most of all by Hamlet being misled by the Ghost. The killing of Polonius is
a major flaw of Hamlets because it got him killed by Laertes. Also the killing of his uncle
Claudius was tragic, since he was his uncle and he made Hamlet very angry towards his
mother. The last and most noted flaw of Hamlet's was him being misled by the Ghost and
engaging in his plan of madness.

The first of Hamlets flaws is the killing of Polonius. The death of Polonius was an
accident that shouldn't have happened. Hamlet believed the person behind the drapery
was indeed Claudius. After Hamlet draws his rapier, runs it through the drapes, and kills
Polonius. He asks? "Is it the King?" He then he is drawn into a heated conversation with
his mother, Gertrude, over the short wait after old king Hamlets death for her to remarry.
He says "Almost as bad, good mother, As kill a king, and marry his brother". The major
effect of his killing of, Polonius, was indeed his death. This ignited Laertes' revenge on
Hamlet which resulted in Hamlet's death.

Just as the killing of Polonious was a tragic flaw of Hamlets, so was the killing of
Claudius. This flaw of Hamlets which was to be the solo revenge of Claudius brought
upon the death of Gertrude, Polonius, and Laertes. The madness in Hamlet was to be
unleashed only on Claudius. Yet Hamlet's path of destruction killed his mother, she was
killed by the poison meant for Hamlet by Claudius. Laertes death was brought on by the
killing of Polonius. The duel between Hamlet and Laertes, which was the arranged
revenge on Hamlet, was the final stand of each.

Although the killings Hamlet carried out were flaws he possessed, another major
flaw was his ignorance in following the Ghost. Hamlet was warned not to follow the
Ghost that there must be some evil in him, but he didn't listen. Both Horatio and
Marcellus forcefully try to hold back the prince, but he will not be restrained. Hamlets
following of the Ghost's instructions to gain revenge on Claudius, corrupted his life. This
plot of revenge started his madness which led to the accidental killing of Polonius, the
killing of himself and Laertes, and also the death of his mother.

In William Shakespeare's tragic play, Hamlet, the flaws in Hamlets decisions
brought out the worst. These flaws resulted in the killing of four close influential figures,
Gertrude, Laertes, Polonius, and Claudius. This play is a tragic play because the main
character's life is taken for the satisfaction of one he loved.