The Aristotle’s elements of tragedy which are significant in Hamlet are plot, character and thought. Hamlet is a tragic hero and everything he does, all of his actions have a purpose of revenge. This play is a tragedy and as such, the elements of it serve to make the story end in a way which is spectacular and which does not leave any questions open because all the wrongdoings get punished.
Plot in Hamlet develops in a fast way and the readers are constantly anxious expecting for more and more exciting events which overlap each other. This play is full of life although there are many deaths involved. This is more associated with comedy: “if the King like not the comedy” (3.2.80). The action is lively and it keeps attention because there is a play involved, ghosts, spying, fighting and killing and finally the glorious end is a fight with swords. Hamlet is the main character and the plot revolves around his actions. He is the person who encourages action against wrongdoers and at the same time, he has to fight in order to defend himself because Claudius is eager to kill him the same way he killed his father, the king of Denmark. Death and revenge are involved in this plot and it develops in such a way that shows people how justice will be satisfied. There is politics and morality included in the plot as well and fight for the power because the whole story begins when Claudius kills his brother, making it look like an incident and marrying the widow. His appetite is not satisfied before he figures out how to kill Hamlet as well in order to take over the throne. There is the unity of plot, discovery, change and the main character ends his life in a tragic way.
The leading character in the play is Hamlet and he is morally right and acts in a way which is appropriate for his rank. This element was used to show that Hamlet has integrity and credibility and the readers feel compassion for him and sympathize with his quest for justice. His behavior is consistent during the whole play which gains the readers’ trust. Hamlet has to avenge his father: “revenge his foul and most unnatural murder” (1.5.25). All of his actions lead to this main event. There is love in his life towards Ophelia, but he decides to set her free because he is not in the position to lead a normal life and he wants to protect her. When Ophelia dies he says: “I loved Ophelia. Forty thousand brothers / Could not, with all their quantity of love, / Make up my sum” (5.1.266-8). The element of character is used to demonstrate that all of his actions are passionate, but he is a reasonable person and his logic prevails over his love for Ophelia.
The thought in Hamlet revolves around what the characters are saying at the right time. They fight with words as much as with swords because what they are saying can lead to a person dying in the same way as literally killing them. The thought around Ophelia’s existence leads to her suicide because she feels that she is no longer wanted in this world and that she has nothing to live for. Hamlet is passionate about revenge and he says about Claudius: “bloody, bawdy villain! / Remorseless, treacherous, lecherous, kindles villain!” (2.2.581-2). He cannot stand injustice and wants to take revenge and kill the people who hurt him and his father. He always says the right thing at the right time and it is the same with other characters. Because of this, Hamlet finds out about many secrets that were kept from him and about the plot to take over the throne. Therefore, all of these elements united create a tragedy which is exciting and interesting to read and watch performed on stage.
Works Cited
Shakespeare, William. The Complete Works of William Shakespeare. Chatham: Wordsworth Editions Ltd., 1998. Print.
