The Tragic Hero in Literature free essay sample

An analysis of two literary works with the purpose of understanding the concept of the tragic hero. This paper discusses Oedipus the King by Sophocles and Hamlet by William Shakespeare in order to illustrate the tragic hero. The paper explains that a literary work must contain irony in its story, and the tragic hero must have a tragic flaw in character (hamartia) that will ultimately become the catalyst for his downfall to materialize, making him the tragic hero of the story. Another example of a tragedy is William Shakespeares literary work entitled, Hamlet. The story also evolves around the theme of finding out the truth, although the truth in this story revolves around the identity of King Hamlets (Hamlets father) murderer. Hamlet illustrates irony in Hamlets character, especially when he expresses wrath and anger when he found out that Claudius, his fathers brother and the new husband of Hamlets mother, is King Hamlets murderer. We will write a custom essay sample on The Tragic Hero in Literature or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page The lines in the story voiced out by Hamlet (A villain kills my father, and for that/ I, his sole son, do this same villain send to heaven?/ When he is drunk asleep, or in his rage?/ At gaming, swearing, or about some act/ That has no relish of salvation in it/ And that his soul may be as damned and black/ As hell whereto he goes) illustrates his anger against Claudius and his murder, but these lines by Hamlet contradicted his previous actions of sparing Claudius death, just when Hamlet was about to kill him.