Hamlet's madness????

Question

does it reinforce or disqualify him from maintaining status as a tragic hero?

I mean, Hamlet is a tragic hero (that is how shakespeare made him to be) but was it because of his madness? Was it because of that that he became a tragic hero?

that is the question....

Answer 1

The reality is that Hamlet was never mad.  He knew that there was something a miss with his uncle, and when it was confirmed by his father he wanted to set things right.  As far as his status as tragic hero, I don't know that he was.  

I realize that's how Hamlet intented for it to be, but the play is basically about Hamlet's need to avenge his father's death.  And other than Hamlet being the central player in the play I don't really think there was a hero.

Answer 2

He is a tragic hero no doubt.

But his madness doesn't exist.  Too many examples from the play indicate he's acting strangely on purpose in an attempt to keep Claudius and Polonius off guard and determine if the ghost's story is valid.

The question whether his madness causes the tragedy or makes him herioc is irrelevant because he's not mad.

Answer 3

I think that the tragedy lies with his madness; Even if things went his way, he'd still be nuts.

Answer 4

well, i think hamlet being mad reinforced him as a tragic hero.  it wouldn't be so tragic if he hadn't been driven insane, you know?  maybe he would've been thinking clearer and maybe he wouldn't have died, the idiot.

Answer 5

I don't think madness disqualifies a character as a tragic hero, but the crucial thing to remember was that Hamlet's madness was affected; it wasn't real. Therefore, I don't think that could reinforce OR disqualify his status.