Hamlet's Tragic Flaw

Hamlets tragic flaw




Hamlet is the most written about tragedy in the history of man. But, why is it a tragedy? Is it because Hamlet has a tragic flaw that creates his downfall? Or is it that all the cards are stacked against him since the beginning of the play and there is no way he can prevail? I believe that it is a tragedy because of Hamlet's tragic flaw. Hamlet's tragic flaw is that he cannot act on impulse for things that require quick, decisive behavior, and that he acts on impulse for things that require more contemplation than is given by him.  

Hamlet speaks of his father's tragic flaw that ultimately led him to his death, but it applies equally well to himself:

So, oft it chances in particular men,

That for some vicious mole of nature in them,

As, in their birth, wherein they are not guilty

(Since nature cannot choose his origin),

By the o’ergrowth of some complexion,

Oft breaking down the pales and forts of reason,

Or by some habit that too much o’er-leavens

The form of plausive manners--that these men,

Carrying, I say, the stamp of one defect,

Being nature’s livery, or fortune’s star,

Their virtues else, be they as pure as grace,

Shall in the general censure take corruption

From that particular fault. The dram of evil

Doth all the noble substance of a doubt

Hamlet speaks of the one fault that is in particular men from beginning, and the fact that that one flaw is his "particular fault". Hamlet says that this "fault" will dishonest the man. It seems to be an excuse from Shakespeare for why Hamlet will not act on impulse. As though he is giving the audience a hint that Hamlet has a tragic flaw. Shakespeare writes "As, in their birth, wherein they are not guilty / (since nature cannot choose his origin)" (1.4.26). Hamlet gives reason of his own flaw here. Although he is talking about his father having a tragic flaw, he states "particular men" (1.4.23), he is not denying that his character does not...