“A tragic flaw is a mistake or flaw in the tragic hero that leads to his downfall.” (http://www.bedfordstmartins.com/literature/bedlit/glossary_t.htm) In the history of literature, if the question were raised as to who was the most indecisive character, Hamlet would be a prime candidate. Hamlet had numerous chances to take revenge for his father's death, but was only able to follow through after the accidental murder of his mother. Hamlet's inability to make a decision ultimately leads to his death, and this is his tragic flaw. What makes a tragic hero? Dr. Peter Smith, associate professor of English at Kentucky State University, has divided the archetypal characteristics of a tragic hero into six groups. Of the six, we will discuss four, the first of which will be “noble stature.” (http://www.kysu.edu/artsscience/ENG411/tragic%20hero.htm) Smith said the fall of a person of noble stature will not only affect his life but also the lives of people who look to him for support. Hamlet is the prince of Denmark; the Danish people rely on a strong royal family to govern and support the country. Next, Smith discussed the “tragic flaw” (http://www.kysu.edu/artsscience/ENG411/tragic%20hero.htm) that leads to the hero's decline. Hamlet's inability to make a decision led to his death, which we will talk about in more detail later. Third, Smith states that one must have “free choice. The tragic hero falls because he chooses one course of action over another.” (http://www.kysu.edu/artsscience/ENG411/tragic%20hero.htm) Hamlet is not forced to kill but makes the decision himself. Ultimately, Smith states, “the punishment must outweigh the crime.” (http://www.kysu.edu/artsscience/ENG411/tragic%20hero.htm) The audience cannot stay...... middle of the paper... the one behind the scenes and kills Polonius by mistake without thinking about it twice. Hamlet is a tragic hero because he follows the guidelines established by Dr. Smith; he has a noble stature, he has a tragic flaw, he has free choice, and finally, he has an unjust punishment. (http://www.kysu.edu/artsscience/ENG411/tragic%20hero.htm) His downfall was his inability to make a decision. He swore revenge for his father's death only to stall over and over again until he finally went through with it only to die himself. Work Cited Clark, William George and Wright, William Aldis. The complete work of William Shakespeare. Philadelphia: Courage Books, 1997. "Glossary of Literary Terms." The Meyer literature site. February 7, 2002.Smith, Peter. “The characteristics of an “archetypal” tragic hero”. Characteristics of a tragic hero. 2002. University of Kentucky. February 7, 2002.