Analyzing Shakespeare

The full title of this play is "The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark," but it best known as simply "Hamlet." It's estimated to have been written between 1599-1603.  "Hamlet" is  Shakespeare's longest play and generally acclaimed to be one of the most powerful and influential tragedies in the English language.

Below is a kind of rubric to apply when assessing the nature of a tragedy, and a tragic figure. While some critics consider Hamlet especially complex and problematic, those qualities are also what make him open to anyone's guess.

If you've never read "Hamlet," review a short synopsis. Or choose a figure from a Shakespearean tragedy you are familiar with.

Tools for Analysis of Tragedies & Tragic Actions

There are three factors to consider in determining the degree of tragedy:

1. Type of person - consider:
         - Character & personality
         - Integrity
         - Lucidity
    
2. Tragic flaw - the input the person has into the action. The stronger the input, the more intense the tragedy. The better the motive, the more intense the irony, and the more powerful the tragedy. Consider:
         - Virtue
         - Good judgement
         - Faulty or bad judgement
         - Affirmation of self, self-assertion in the face of challenge to dignity
         - Hubris (lack of insight, or arrogance due to excessive pride and insolence towards others)
         - Weakness in some area (not having *enough* of a good quality)
         - Vice or bad quality
    
3. Nature of consequent misfortune, misery, loss, or disaster - tragic actions result in degrees of loss.

Once you've worked through this rubric and identified the three factors, you've established a great point of reference for reading Hamlet.