Title:
A Comparison of the Element of Hamartia in “Hamlet”, “The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock”, and “Agamemnon”
Thesis:
One of the elements that can be compared in the plays “Hamlet”, “The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock”, and “Agamemnon” is hamartia. Attempt has been made to analyse the main characters’ personality traits and provide the reader with specific examples that help to clarify how hamartia is present in each of the three plays. In order to analyse all the three characters’ personalities and their roles in the plays, it would be best to know first what hamartia means to further connect them with this element. By definition, hamartia is a flaw in the hero’s personality that allows them to commit certain tragic or fatal
Just as Hamlet ponders suicide, Prufrock compares himself to the smallest creatures and animals, demonstrating tremendous introspection and self-loathing. Dismayed by age, Prufrock regrets not having acted towards his goals, and, in the end, without anything to show for his life, he isolates himself from society, embarrassed and ashamed. Prufrock is emotionally too unstable to overcome his situation. Therefore, he becomes indecisive, hesitant, and frustrated with himself. The flaw of Prufrock’s personality is his inability to act. Consequently, he waited until the very end, only to look back at his life and realize that his inability to act became the sole reason for his failures.
Paragraph 3:
Detail 1: Agamemnon, when it comes to action, is not like Hamlet or Prufrock. He is considered to be a very accomplished character, with enormous power and social position. Agamemnon is a king to his people, a husband, and a father. The chorus describes him as a great and courageous warrior, the one who destroyed the mighty army and city of Troy. However, Agamemnon is a deeply flawed character; one of his greatest flaws is his inability to act accordingly to the responsibilities of a king, a husband and a father. Agamemnon’s flaw, is not his inability to act, but to act without succumbing to his own desires and emotions.
Detail 2: There are some similarities