The Isolation of a Hero in a Tragedy William Shakespeare’s Hamlet

Isolation Defined Isolation: The setting apart of someone or something. Northrop Frye argued that in a tragedy, the hero is always isolated from his society.

He is a prince - set apart by his status Hamlet is set apart by Shakespeare dramatically. As a character, he is given extraordinary qualities making him larger than life. He is a prince - set apart by his status He is a poet - “Angels and ministers of grace defend us!” (I, iv, 39) He is a philosopher - “What a piece of work is a man!” (II, ii, 303-304)

Hamlet is set apart by Shakespeare dramatically Hamlet is set apart by Shakespeare dramatically. As a character, he is given extraordinary qualities making him larger than life. He is highly moral - “Or that the everlasting had not fix’d / His cannon ‘gainst self-slaughter!” (I, ii, 132) He is in a constant struggle between what is right and wrong - Will not kill the praying Claudius. He feels love deeply (friend, son, lover) - “I loved Ophelia ...” (V, i, 263)

As the play progresses, Hamlet is isolated from his society. Hamlet sets himself apart through the grief he feels for his father’s death. He isolates himself through the “antic-disposition” He feels betrayed by his mother in her “quick” marriage to Claudius He is betrayed by his friends Rosencrantz and Guildenstern.

As the play progresses, Hamlet is isolated from his society. He is cut from Ophelia by Laertes and Polonius. He cuts himself off from Ophelia. He is cut off from Claudius and Gertrude because they never respect the intensity of his grief. He is cut off from Laertes (once his friend) because of Claudius’ influence.

Hamlet and All of Us The play gives us a tragic vision of the world through Hamlet’s experiences. We are invited to experience the times in our own lives when we feel isolated. We have all felt the burden of the demands thrust upon us. We have all felt the confusion of competing needs and values as we try to navigate the world.