Anti-Heroes

Essay by msujavedHigh School, 12th grade January 2005

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Anti-Heroes

Heroes are not always tragic heroes. Sometimes they are tragic heroes and other times they are anti-heroes. Aristotle's theory says, "the tragic hero will most effectively evoke both our pity and our terror." Aristotle's theory might work with some tragic heroes but it does not work with Hamlet in Hamlet by Shakespeare and Robert Ross in The Wars by Timothy Findley. Hamlet and Robert are not tragic heroes. Rather, they are antiheroes. Their death is the result of their own actions, sins, mistakes curiosity, anger and revenge for someone other than themselves.

Elders used to say, "the end result will be the result of ones own actions and deeds." This saying can be used to describe Hamlet's end result. Even though Hamlet is very brave, but when it come to revealing the truth, he is one of the biggest cowered. In Act 1, scene 5, Hamlet finds that his father did not die of a natural cause; rather he was murdered by his own uncle (his father's brother).

His father's spirit told him, "Revenge his foul and most unnatural murder." Hamlet's father's spirit revealed everything to him, but he still hesitated. Rather than telling what he saw to his own mother, he keeps it within himself. Hamlet's actions such as this, makes people believe that Hamlet is insane. On the other hand, Robert's end result starts to build up after his beloved sister Rowena's death. He loved her so much that at one point he said,

Rowena: Will you stay with me forever?

Robert: Yes Rowena.

Rowena: Can the rabbits stay forever too?

Robert: Yes Rowena.

Robert wanted to reassure Rowena that no matter what happens he will be with her. He will protect her from every harsh that might come upon her. But he failed and now feels...