Cited by 0Shakespeare, Adaptation, and Literary CriticismRenaissance Literature and CultureAmerican and British Literature Analysis

An Analysis of Hamlet from the Perspective of Aristotle's Tragedy Theories

Open access
Wang, Yuan·2021·Region - Educational Research and Reviews

Abstract

With profound tragic significance, Hamlet is an enduringly popular tragedy by the famous British dramatist William Shakespeare. The complex characters, as well as the various artistic techniques for the creation of the tragic story in the play, especially its application of the ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle's tragedy theories, have received extensive attention from academia. This paper intends to conduct a study on the application of Aristotle's tragedy theories in Shakespeare's Hamlet. On the basis of the analysis of Aristotle's tragedy principles related to tragic plots and characters, "Error and Frailty", "Fear and Pity" and "Purification", the paper discusses the tragedy Hamlet and its application of Aristotle's guidance, in order to help readers untie the reasons of the design for some important parts of this tragedy.

AI snapshot

Written from the paper’s full text.

TL;DR

This paper reads Shakespeare's *Hamlet* through Aristotle's *Poetics*, arguing that the play's plotting and characterization follow Aristotle's prescriptions for tragedy. It traces Hamlet's virtue and error, Ophelia's frailty, the arousal of fear and pity, and the final "purification" (katharsis) achieved through the deaths of Claudius and Laertes.

Key findings

  • Hamlet satisfies Aristotle's four principles of a tragic character: he is virtuous, his speech and action are appropriate, he is relatable despite his royal status, and his character remains consistent throughout.
  • Hamlet fits Aristotle's ideal hero as one "intermediate between extremely virtuous and wicked," who suffers "not due to depravity but because of some serious errors"; his killing of Polonius is attributed to "rashness and incorrect judgment" rather than design, indirectly causing Ophelia's madness and death.
  • Ophelia also meets Aristotle's standard of a tragic figure: "virtuous but not extremely just," she falls through "serious errors and frailty" — obeying her father and returning Hamlet's letters and gifts — which aggravates Hamlet's insecurity and anger.
  • The deaths of Claudius and Laertes, "the antagonists representing evil forces," mark the summit of "Purification" through "Fear and Pity," the process Aristotle called *Katharsis*.

Methods

  • Design: a theoretical/interpretive literary analysis applying Aristotle's tragedy principles — specifically "Error and Frailty," "Fear and Pity," and "Purification" — to *Hamlet*.
  • Data: close reading of *Hamlet* (cited to the Raffel annotated edition) alongside Aristotle's *Poetics*; no empirical sample or dataset.
  • Analysis: thematic discussion organized around Hamlet's character, his conflicts with Claudius and Gertrude, the errors of Hamlet and Ophelia, and the play's tragic effect.

Limitations

  • Not stated in the paper: the article contains no explicit limitations section.
  • Evident from the text: the argument is largely illustrative rather than systematic — it selects confirming parallels between *Hamlet* and the *Poetics* without testing where the play departs from Aristotle's rules, and it engages almost no opposing scholarly interpretations (only a brief reference to "some scholars" on Hamlet's hesitation, which it rebuts).
  • Evident from the text: the treatment of Ophelia is explicitly subordinated to Hamlet ("weighs not as much as Hamlet"), and the discussion of Gertrude versus Ophelia rests on the author's judgment about which relationship generates "fear" rather than on sustained textual evidence.

Model-written summary. Check it against the paper before relying on it.

Integrity signals

Registry

Crossref · 10.32629/rerr.v3i3.453

Cites

2 of 2 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

Statistics

Nothing to recompute.

Claims the paper makes

0 of 4 cited sources checked · 0 supported · 0 flagged

  • Interpretationreasoning
    § 5. Conclusions

    The design of the plots and characters in Hamlet by Shakespeare has much to do with the influence of Aristotle's tragedy theories.

    “The study of application of Aristotle's tragedy theories reveals that the design of the plots and characters in Hamlet by Shakespeare has much to do with the influence of Aristotle's tragedy theories.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: Similarities between Hamlet and Aristotle's tragedy principles indicate that Shakespeare intentionally applied or was influenced by Aristotle's theories.
  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. 48
  • May combine two claims. 20
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Findingreasoning
    § 2. The "Fear and Pity" Excited by the Sufferings of Good Man Hamlet

    When Hamlet sees the ghost of old king Hamlet at night, he wonders if it is real instead of accepting it without thinking.

    “When he sees the appearance of the old king Hamlet at night, he's wondering if it is even real instead of taking it as reasonable without thinking.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Findingnone given

    Conflicts arise between Hamlet and his mother Queen Gertrude, whose remarriage to Claudius is one of the sources of Hamlet's sufferings.

    “Conflicts also arise between Hamlet and his mother Queen Gertrude, whose remarriage to Claudius is one of the sources of Hamlet's sufferings.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

    Findingnone given

    When Ophelia's brother and father cast a slur on Hamlet's dignity, Ophelia is misled by these false statements, obeys her father, and returns Hamlet's letters and gifts.

    “When Ophelia's brother and father cast a slur on Hamlet's dignity, the girl is just misled by these false statements which are far from the truth, obeying her father and returning Hamlet's letters and gifts.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Findingcitation

    When Hamlet is told by the ghost about the old king Hamlet's death, a mix of emotions including upset, anger, sadness, confusion and disgust comes to his mind at once.

    “When Hamlet was told the truth about the old king Hamlet's death by the ghost, which was just as what have been guessed (Shakespeare et al. 44), a mix of emotions including upset, anger, sadness, confusion and disgust comes to his mind at once.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Shakespeare et al. 44

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Findingnone given
    § 2. The "Fear and Pity" Excited by the Sufferings of Good Man Hamlet

    Hamlet had the high status of being the prince of the Kingdom of Denmark.

    “First of all, he had the high status of being the prince of the Kingdom of Denmark.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

    Findingreasoning
    § 2. The "Fear and Pity" Excited by the Sufferings of Good Man Hamlet

    Hamlet does not blindly get revenge; he decides to figure out whether his uncle Claudius has truly killed his father.

    “Hamlet did not blindly get revenge, instead, he decides to figure out whether his uncle Claudius has truly killed his father.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Findingnone given

    At the very beginning of the play, Hamlet is depressed because he has to go home to his father's funeral.

    “At the very beginning of the play, Hamlet is depressed as he has to go home to his father's funeral.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Findingreasoning
    § 2. The "Fear and Pity" Excited by the Sufferings of Good Man Hamlet

    After observing Claudius's reaction to the play, Hamlet is certain that Claudius is the murderer and decides to seek revenge.

    “After this, Hamlet is certain that his uncle Claudius, the new king, is the murderer. And at this moment Hamlet decides that he must seek revenge for his father.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Findingreasoning

    A conflict gradually comes between Hamlet and his intimate relative, uncle Claudius.

    “Here gradually comes the conflict, which is between Hamlet and his intimate relative, uncle Claudius.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

    Findingreasoning

    Ophelia becomes enraged and goes mad, finally dying by a river.

    “As a result, Ophelia becomes enraged and goes mad, finally dying by a river.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    When Hamlet gets home, he suspects murder because his mother Queen Gertrude has already remarried his uncle and his father's throne has been taken over by Claudius.

    “When Hamlet gets home, he suspects murder, which means something is not right because he sees that his mother Queen Gertrude has already remarried his uncle. In addition, he finds out that his father's throne has been taken over by his uncle Claudius.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Findingcitation

    Hamlet and Claudius are both near of kin and far as strangers.

    “The narrator in the play describes the new relationship between Hamlet and his uncle in the play as an incredibly complex one, in which Hamlet and Claudius are both near of kin and far as strangers (Shakespeare et al. 17).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Shakespeare et al. 17

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Findingown data
    § 2. The "Fear and Pity" Excited by the Sufferings of Good Man Hamlet

    Hamlet hires playwrights to reenact his father's murder.

    “What he does next is to hire some famous playwrights and get them to help reenact what has happened on the night of his father's murder.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

    Findingnone given

    Hamlet decides to seek revenge for his father, but by accident he kills Ophelia's father Polonius in a rage.

    “Hamlet decides to seek revenge for his father, but by accident he kills Ophelia's father Polonius in a rage.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning

    Hamlet kills Polonius not because he intends to hurt him by design but due to his rashness and incorrect judgment, which conforms to Aristotle's principle about the causes of miseries.

    “Hamlet kills Polonius not because he intends to hurt him by design but due to his rashness and incorrect judgment, which conforms to Aristotle's principle about the causes of miseries.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning

    Some plots concerning Hamlet and Ophelia are very ambiguous, merely arousing the audience's pity without fear, because there are very limited conflicts actually caused by them.

    “Apart from that, some of the plots concerning Hamlet and Ophelia in this play are very ambiguous, merely arousing the audience's pity without fear, for there are very limited conflicts that are actually caused by them.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: The audience's emotional responses to Hamlet (pity, fear, purification) are uniform and can be inferred from the play text.
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Interpretationreasoning

    Ophelia's sudden change of turning against Hamlet aggravates his emotions of uncertainty, insecurity, anger and frustration about love and relationships.

    “Her sudden change of turning against Hamlet aggravates his emotions of uncertainty, insecurity, anger and frustration about love and relationships.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Interpretationreasoning
    § 2. The "Fear and Pity" Excited by the Sufferings of Good Man Hamlet

    Hamlet has built a positive image in the audience's mind because they see rationality, wisdom, courage and other merits in him.

    “After this part, Hamlet has already built a positive image in audience's mind, for they can see rationality, wisdom, courage and many other merits in him.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: The audience's emotional responses to Hamlet (pity, fear, purification) are uniform and can be inferred from the play text.
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Interpretationreasoning

    The betrayal of his uncle is another suffering that Hamlet is undergoing.

    “The betrayal of his uncle is another suffering that Hamlet is undergoing.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning

    Queen Gertrude is very proud of Hamlet but is also caught in a web, trying to protect herself in the midst of the commotion.

    “She is very proud of him but she is also caught in a web, trying to protect herself in the midst of this commotion.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S4 (based).

    Interpretationreasoning
    § 2. The "Fear and Pity" Excited by the Sufferings of Good Man Hamlet

    When Hamlet curses that he himself is born to set chaos right, the audience tends to feel pity for his misery.

    “When he curses out that he himself is born to set chaos right, the audience tend to feel pity for his misery.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: The audience's emotional responses to Hamlet (pity, fear, purification) are uniform and can be inferred from the play text.
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable).

    Interpretationreasoning
    § 2. The "Fear and Pity" Excited by the Sufferings of Good Man Hamlet

    Despite being a prince different from ordinary people, the audience can still resonate with Hamlet because his actions seem logical and reasonable for a well-cultivated man in high status.

    “Thirdly, though as a prince, Hamlet is different from ordinary people in many aspects, the audience can still resonate with him, for everything he does seems logical and reasonable for a well-cultivated man like him in such a high status.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: The audience's emotional responses to Hamlet (pity, fear, purification) are uniform and can be inferred from the play text.
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Interpretationnone given

    When Ophelia repels Hamlet's letters and access to her, she herself feels afflicted too, but she values her father's command much more than justified human emotions.

    “In fact, when Ophelia repels Hamlet's letters and access to her, she herself feels afflicted too, but apparently, she values her father's command much more than justified human emotions.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).

    Interpretationnone given

    Numerous clues can be found that Queen Gertrude loves her son Hamlet.

    “The audience may have no idea about whether Queen Gertrude is even in love with Claudius, but numerous clues can be found that she loves her son Hamlet.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

    Interpretationnone given

    Ophelia is virtuous but not extremely just.

    “She is virtuous but not extremely just.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).

    Interpretationreasoning

    The old king Hamlet's talk with his son in the castle signifies the beginning of Hamlet's suffering.

    “Thus, the old king Hamlet's talk with his son in the castle only signifies the beginning of Hamlet's suffering.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S3 (load-bearing).

    Interpretationreasoning
    § 5. Conclusions

    The gripping construction of Hamlet's tragic story wins great favor among people at all times and in all countries because of the perfect combination of the wit of Shakespeare and Aristotle.

    “It is because of the perfect combination of the wit of these two great minds that the gripping construction of Hamlet's tragic story wins great favor among people at all times and in all countries.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: Similarities between Hamlet and Aristotle's tragedy principles indicate that Shakespeare intentionally applied or was influenced by Aristotle's theories.
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based). May combine two claims.

    Interpretationnone given

    Most conflicts between Hamlet and Ophelia come from Hamlet's frustration and anger at his mother, and what Queen Gertrude has done leaves a negative image of women in Hamlet's mind.

    “The reason why it is Queen Gertrude who is discussed here instead of Hamlet's beloved Ophelia is because most of the conflicts arising between Hamlet and Ophelia come from Hamlet's frustration and anger at his mother, and what Queen Gertrude has done leaves a negative image of women in the mind of Hamlet.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).

    Interpretationnone given

    When Hamlet follows the ghost for his answer, he is in pursuit of a prophetic vision that his uncle may have murdered the old king.

    “When Hamlet unhesitatingly follows the ghost for his answer, he is in pursuit of a prophetic vision that his uncle may have murdered the old king.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable).

    Interpretationreasoning
    § 5. Conclusions

    The tragedy Hamlet follows many suggestions given by Aristotle.

    “To summarize, the tragedy Hamlet follows many suggestions given by Aristotle.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: Similarities between Hamlet and Aristotle's tragedy principles indicate that Shakespeare intentionally applied or was influenced by Aristotle's theories.
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S3 (load-bearing).

    Interpretationreasoning

    Ophelia also fits Aristotle's standard of a tragic figure well.

    “Though Ophelia weighs not as much as Hamlet, the protagonist, she also fits Aristotle's standard of a tragic figure well.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning

    The audience feels pity for the unjust things that happened to Hamlet and fear because what is happening seems very possible in that situation.

    “So pity the audience will feel for the unjust things that happened to Hamlet, and so fearful they are, for what is happening seems to be very possible in that situation.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: The audience's emotional responses to Hamlet (pity, fear, purification) are uniform and can be inferred from the play text.
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based).

    Premisecitation
    § 2. The "Fear and Pity" Excited by the Sufferings of Good Man Hamlet

    Conflicts between people in close relationships appeal to the audience because they seem terrible or pitiful.

    “Conflicts between people in close relationships, are proposed by Aristotle as appealing to the audience because they seem to be terrible or pitiful.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S3 (load-bearing).

    Interpretationreasoning
    § 2. The "Fear and Pity" Excited by the Sufferings of Good Man Hamlet

    Hamlet is a very intellectual man.

    “Therefore it is apparent that the protagonist Hamlet is a very intellectual man.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning

    When the heroic character reaches a chink of light through the exhausting and painful struggle, the audience's spirits will be lifted and their emotions purified at the same time.

    “When the heroic character reaches a chink of light through the exhausting and painful struggle, the audience's spirits will be lifted and their emotions purified at the same time.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: The audience's emotional responses to Hamlet (pity, fear, purification) are uniform and can be inferred from the play text.
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Interpretationreasoning

    From the moment Hamlet returns home, his suffering has already begun.

    “In fact, from the moment Hamlet returns home, his suffering has already begun.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Interpretationnone given
    § 2. The "Fear and Pity" Excited by the Sufferings of Good Man Hamlet

    When the audience finds out that Hamlet's errors and frailty are very common, they fear that they themselves may make the same mistakes in the same situation.

    “And later when the audience find out that his errors and frailty are very common, they will fear that they themselves may make the same mistakes in the same situation.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: The audience's emotional responses to Hamlet (pity, fear, purification) are uniform and can be inferred from the play text.
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).

    Interpretationnone given
    § 2. The "Fear and Pity" Excited by the Sufferings of Good Man Hamlet

    Hamlet's speech and action are designed appropriately when the events are constructed.

    “Secondly, speech and action of Hamlet are also designed in an appropriate way when the events are constructed.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Interpretationcitation

    Gertrude's frailty hurts Hamlet very much, causing him to yell that he wishes she was not his mother because she is now his uncle's wife.

    “Her frailty hurts Hamlet very much, and that is why Hamlet suddenly becomes angry with Gertrude, yelling at her that he wishes that she was not his mother, for the ridiculous fact that now she is also his uncle's wife (Shakespeare et al. 135).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Shakespeare et al. 135

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Interpretationreasoning

    Hamlet's withdrawal from killing Claudius while he is praying is carefully thought over because Hamlet reasons that killing him while praying would send him to heaven.

    “However, the reason why Hamlet retreats and then plans to revenge Claudius when he is doing evil deeds is because Hamlet reasons that if his uncle was killed while praying, this evildoer would be sent to heaven, which is not what the prince expects. The whole process of his reasoning proves that Hamlet's withdrawal has been carefully thought over.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Interpretationreasoning
    § 2. The "Fear and Pity" Excited by the Sufferings of Good Man Hamlet

    Hamlet well fits Aristotle's four principles of a tragic character.

    “As the protagonist of this tragedy, Hamlet well fits Aristotle's four principles of a tragic character.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Interpretationown data
    § 2. The "Fear and Pity" Excited by the Sufferings of Good Man Hamlet

    Hamlet is well-educated, studying philosophy and other subjects, and has the ability to think and reflect in a logical and critical way.

    “Secondly, studying philosophy and other subjects of the sort in school, he is well-educated. Hamlet has the ability to think and reflect in a logical and critical way.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning

    Both Polonius' and Ophelia's deaths are caused by Hamlet, directly or indirectly.

    “Namely, both Polonius' and Ophelia's deaths are caused by Hamlet, directly or indirectly.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Interpretationreasoning

    Ophelia gets into trouble not because she is wicked, but due to her serious errors and frailty.

    “She gets into trouble not because she is wicked, but due to her serious errors and frailty.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Interpretationreasoning

    After old king Hamlet's death and Gertrude's remarriage to Claudius, Hamlet gradually regards women as frail in love.

    “After old king Hamlet's death, Hamlet's mother Queen Gertrude, who once seemed to be so faithful to his father, soon remarries his uncle Claudius. Hamlet gradually regards women as frail in love after all this happened.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Interpretationnone given
    § 2. The "Fear and Pity" Excited by the Sufferings of Good Man Hamlet

    Hamlet's character is consistent, without unreasonable changes or illogical development.

    “Fourthly, the character of the prince is also consistent, without any unreasonable changes or illogical development.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable).

    Interpretationcitation
    § 2. The "Fear and Pity" Excited by the Sufferings of Good Man Hamlet

    Hamlet is a virtuous prince with many fine qualities.

    “Firstly, he is a virtuous prince with many fine qualities.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Shakespeare et al. 101

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning

    In Hamlet's soliloquies, clues imply that he is very disappointed by the events, especially the incest in the country, and extremely angry with his mother's frailty.

    “Later, in the soliloquies of Hamlet, clues could be found implying that he is very disappointed by the events, especially the incest that has happened in the country, and he is extremely angry with his mother's frailty.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Interpretationreasoning

    In such a rocky relationship, Hamlet and Ophelia's love gradually becomes weakened and finally withered.

    “Therefore, in such a rocky relationship, it is not unexpected that their love gradually becomes weakened and finally withered.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
49 of 49
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Similarities between Hamlet and Aristotle's tragedy principles indicate that Shakespeare intentionally applied or was influenced by Aristotle's theories.

    “This paper intends to conduct a study on the application of Aristotle's tragedy theories in Shakespeare's Hamlet.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The audience's emotional responses to Hamlet (pity, fear, purification) are uniform and can be inferred from the play text.

    “So pity the audience will feel for the unjust things that happened to Hamlet, and so fearful they are, for what is happening seems to be very possible in that situation.”
2 of 2

Cites

Flagged first, then by citations

Research works printed but not linked: 4

  1. [1][1] Aristotle, Heath, M. (1996). Poetics, Translated with an Introduction and Notes by Malcolm Heath. London: Penguin Books.
  2. [2][2] Aristotle. (1996). The Politics, Translated by T. A. Sinclair, Revised and Re-presented by Trevor J. Saunders. London: Penguin Books.
  3. [3][3] Baldick, C. (2000). Oxford Concise Dictionary of Literary Terms. Shanghai: Shanghai Foreign Language.
  4. [6][6] Shakespeare, W., Raffel, B. (2003). Hamlet (The Annotated Shakespeare), Fully Annotated, with an Introduction, by Burton Raffel, with an Essay by Harold Bloom. New Haven and London: Yale University Press.

Authors
Wang, Y.
Affiliations
University of Southampton (GB)
Corresponding author
Wang, Yuan
Venue
Region - Educational Research and Reviews
Published
2021-10-02
Volume
3
Issue
3
Pages
48
ISSN
  • 2661-4626 (ISSN-L)
  • 2661-4634
OpenAlex
W3205818890
Cited by
0
References
2
FWCI
0.00
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
Region - Educational Research and Reviews (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Arts and Humanities › Literature and Literary Theory › Shakespeare, Adaptation, and Literary Criticism
  • Social Sciences › Arts and Humanities › Classics › Renaissance Literature and Culture
  • Social Sciences › Arts and Humanities › Literature and Literary Theory › American and British Literature Analysis
Keywords
Hamlet, Shakespeare, Aristotle's theory of tragedy, tragic plot, tragic characters, hamartia, pity and fear, catharsis

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