William Shakespeare clearly demonstrates the form of tragic drama in his Renaissance tragedy, Hamlet, Prince of Denmark. The main conflict in tragedy is that the order of the universe is disrupted and the chain of being is broken. When this happens the world is consequently plunged into a state of darkness. This chaos serves as the foundation of the play; the resolution of the play is only possible when balance is restored to the universe. Aristotle outlines the three major elements of tragic plot; he ascertains that all tragedy must contain: a reversal of fortune, recognition and catastrophe.

The reversal of fortune is key to the tragic plot; Hamlet’s reversal of fortune comes early in the play when he is confronted with the death of his father and the remarrying of his mother to his uncle. Hamlet also suffers a fall from rank; in his feverish pursuit to get revenge on his father’s killer he appears to have gone crazy. Polonius believes he is mad with love; Claudius knows the true reason Hamlet has taken on this antic disposition. Hamlet’s fall from rank and descent into madness causes the destruction of many of the other characters.

In tragedy, it is most common that the reversal of fortune causes an unhappy turn of events for the protagonist because a situation that is unfortunate is the most tragic; it evokes the greatest amount of pity and fear. This idea of a play invoking feelings of pity and fear draws upon the dramatic device of catharsis, or the purging of emotions. Catharsis is an essential element of tragedy; it allows the audience to sympathize with the suffering protagonist.

Tragedy must also contain recognition on the part of the characters; Aristotle defines recognition as revelation of unknown details or involvement of characters, or the discernment of guilt or innocence of a specific character. Hamlet’s recognition occurs when he learns the truth about his father’s murder. Hamlet knows he must prove that the spirit he encounters is actually the ghost of his father or an evil presence; Hamlet attempts to do this by tricking Claudius into revealing his guilt. Once Claudius shows his guilt, Hamlet has the recognition and understands that he must revenge the death of King Hamlet. Gertrude also seems to have this recognition when she promises she will no longer let Claudius seduce her.

All of this tension leads to the eventual destruction of the protagonist in a catastrophic event. In Hamlet the consequences of the murder of King Hamlet are devastating. Ophelia kills herself due to Hamlet’s madness and the death of her father. Polonius is killed by Hamlet when he is mistaken for Claudius. Polonius’ son Laertes dies at the hand of Hamlet in a duel while he is attempting to avenge his own father’s death. Hamlet’s mother, Gertrude, dies as a result of drinking the poisoned wine; Hamlet is finally granted retribution when he forces Claudius to drink from the poisoned cup but soon after he exacts his revenge on Claudius, Hamlet also dies.

Out of death and suffering order is restored in the world, Fortinbras will rule and Horatio will tell Hamlet’s story to the world.

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