Heroism and loss in William Shakespear's "the tragedy of hamlet" (1601) and Chiua Achebe's "things fall apart" (1958)

Loading...
Thumbnail Image

Date

2022

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Mouloud Mammeri University of Tizi –Ouzou

Abstract

Our task in this dissertation is to expose two fundamental themes namely: Heroism and Loss in William Shakespeare’s Hamlet and Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart, focusing on their main characters. To do that, we referred to Aristotle’s theory of Tragedy as explained in his Poetics. Our work is based on the comparison between Hamlet and Okonkwo in order to highlight the differences and the similarities between them despite they are written in different eras and places. In fact, both are considered as heroic characters who have a respective status in their societies at the beginning. Hamlet is seen as an intellectual prince during the Renaissance Era and Okonkwo is portrayed as a strong wrestler and leader in the Igbo society. Besides, both Hamlet and Okonkwo have a tragic flaw that led to their death and fall. At the end of the stories, both witnessed their loss that is caused by their excess of fame and power. Finally, the two works are studied through a tragic perspective regarding plot or events both the protagonists witnessed.

Description

49p. ; 30cm. (+CD-Rom)

Keywords

Aristotle’s Theory of Tragedy, Hamlet, Things Fall Apart, Heroism, Loss, Literary Affinities

Citation

General and Comparative Literature