Hamlet, the Anithero

In literature, there are countless antiheroic characters. However, Anitheroism is an exceptional characteristic for authors to portray in characters, which makes this trait so unique and fascinating. In the literary dictionary, an antihero is defined as the "hero of the play or novel, but has negative attributes, which separate him or her from the classic hero.” Such negative aspects may include a violent nature, use of coarse language, or self serving interests which may inadvertently …

…is the desire to avenge his father's murderer, an act considered completely honorable and even respectable by most people. Nevertheless, Hamlet's negative attributes include his discourtesy and tactlessness towards other’s, and a violent nature as shown when he kills Polonius, expressing no shame or remorse. All in all, Hamlet’s array of different characteristics in the play recaptures the allotment of the classic hero, to the more becoming name of Hamlet - the antihero.