“A tragic flaw is an error 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 of who was the most indecisive character was raised, Hamlet would be a prime candidate. Hamlet had many opportunities to seek revenge for his father's death, but was only able to follow through after his mother's accidental murder. Hamlet's inability to make a decision ultimately leads to his demise, and this is his tragic flaw. What makes a tragic hero? Dr. Peter Smith, associate professor of English at Kentucky State University, divided the archetypal characteristics of a tragic hero into six groups. Of the six, four will be discussed, the first being “noble stature”. (http://www.kysu.edu/artsscience/ENG411/tragic%20hero.htm) Smith said that the fall of a person of noble stature will affect not only his life, but also the lives of people who look up to him to get support. . Hamlet is the prince of Denmark; The Danish people rely on a strong royal family to govern and support the country. Smith then discusses the “tragic flaw” (http://www.kysu.edu/artsscience/ENG411/tragic%20hero.htm) which leads to the decline of the hero. Hamlet's inability to make a decision led to his death, which we will discuss in more detail later. Third, Smith says that everyone should 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 obligated to kill but makes the decision for himself. Finally, says Smith, “the punishment must exceed the crime.” (http://www.kysu.edu/artsscience/ENG411/tragic%20hero.htm) Audience can't fuck middle of paper......the one behind the curtain and kills Polonius by mistake without a second thought . Hamlet is a tragic hero because he follows the guidelines set by Dr. Smith; he has a noble stature, he has a tragic flaw, he has free choice and finally, he suffers 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 wait again and again until he finally did so to die himself. Work cited by Clark, William George and Wright, William Aldis. The Complete 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.