Hamlet: Tragedy In Hamlet

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of Hamlet. It is the above mentioned elements;
character, plot and setting, used in a non-Aristotelian way, that makes
Hamlet work as a one of the English language's most renown tragedies.

By proper revenge we refer to the Elizabethan view that revenge must
be sought in certain cases, for the world to continue properly. This is the
main plot of Hamlet. In Poetics, Aristotle defines for us, the element of
plot and shows us how he believes it must be put together. He also believes
in various unities which he states are necessary for a proper tragedy.
Aristotle believes in what he calls "Unity of plot" (Aristotle 42 - 3).
This "Unity" leaves no room for subplots, which are crucial to the theme of
Hamlet. Without the subplot of Laertes' revenge and the subplot of
Fortinbras' revenge, we are left with a lugubrious play where the ending,
although necessary, is pointless. The three sub-plots together as a unit,
allow us to understand what Shakespeare thought of revenge. Another of ...

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own, Fortinbras receives the
kingship of Denmark. The plot events with which Aristotle disagrees give
meaning to Hamlet's theme.

Shakespeare uses the plot to help create the mood of Hamlet by
incorporating subplots and by having his tragic hero do things which are
particularly unheroic. Hamlet's treatment of Ophelia is particularly
barbaric. By the same token Ophelia's unstinting devotion to her father,
and by that ,her poor treatment of Hamlet causes us to question which of
the two is not the worthier, but the least evil. Both of their actions
invoke disgust. Aristotle would have objected to Hamlet's treatment of
Ophelia because of his aforementioned belief in the character ...

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