Introduction
Anti-heroes are characters in literature who lack the traditional heroic qualities of courage, nobility, and honor. They are often flawed, rebellious, and self-interested and may even engage in criminal or immoral behavior. Despite their shortcomings, they may still be relatable and sympathetic to readers. Accordingly, the characters’ struggles in Hamlet and Don Quixote are defined by their sense of displacement and disillusionment. In each of these works of fiction, the antiheroes are forced to confront the corruption and cruelty of the world around them, undermining their faith in the gods and humanity. As a result, they are forced to question their power, position, and beliefs, leading them to reject the traditional heroic ideals and embrace a more cynical and skeptical view of the world.
Discussion
In Hamlet by William Shakespeare, the protagonist, Hamlet, recognizes that he has anti-heroic characteristics. Hamlet learns that his father was murdered by his uncle Claudius at the beginning of the play. Despite the evident devastation caused by his father’s death and his mother’s union, Gertrude, with Claudius, his response to the circumstances with others around him comes out as distant, irritable, and overly dramatic. Hamlet often bemoans that he cannot kill himself since God “fix’d / His canon ‘gainst self-slaughter” instead of learning from adversity and conquering barriers, like typical heroes (Act 1, Scene 2).
Heroes must be courageous, honorable, and unselfish by nature; Hamlet does not fit this description. He also says in Act II that there is nothing that he is unwilling to give up except for his life. He repeats the phrase “except my life” three times to emphasize this point. This shows that Hamlet does not have the heroic self-assurance and certainty in his abilities that are required of nobles.
The encounter with his father’s ghost only serves to progressively corrupt Hamlet. According to the ghost, the dead king of Denmark was Hamlet’s father. This ghost will only talk to Hamlet, and when the time is right, he will share his side of the account with the prince. Accusing Claudius of poisoning him, he expresses disgust at the incestuous moral degeneration of the emperor. The ghost implores Hamlet, “If thou hast nature in thee, bear it not; / Let not the royal bed of Denmark be / A couch for luxury and damned incest” (Act 1 Scene 5). The ghost spreads the idea of violent aggression in Hamlet’s thoughts when he orders him to murder Claudius in retaliation for the latter’s sins to the former’s family. This notion of vengeance, wrath, and aggressiveness lingers in Hamlet’s psyche, destroying his originally gentle, intelligent, and tranquil personality.
The first time he has the chance to get revenge for his father is while his evil uncle is praying. Hamlet decides not to kill his uncle since doing so would give Claudius a benefit that he denied his late father. If Hamlet had slain his uncle while praying, his soul would have been guaranteed entry into heaven because he had repented his sins (Act 3). In the scene, it is obvious that Hamlet desires for his uncle to suffer in hell for eternity. While Hamlet shows some bravery in this act, real heroes do not seek revenge and do not condone torture or unnecessary suffering.
Hamlet gets another opportunity to kill his uncle during an argument with his mother because she transgressed against the late king and God. When Gertrude shouts during their dispute, Polonius hears her from behind the curtains where he has taken refuge. Hamlet, supposing the stranger to be Claudius, is startled into stabbing Polonius. Hamlet nearly does not care that he committed an error and even tries to shift the responsibility to Polonius by saying: “Thou wretched, rash, intruding fool, farewell! / I took thee for thy better. Take thy fortune; / Thou find’st to be too busy in some danger” (Act 3, Scene 4). In the unlikely event that a hero would accidentally murder someone, they would feel regret rather than acting nonchalantly and coldly as Hamlet did.
Hamlet’s treatment of Ophelia is symbolic of his ruthless personality. With the words, “If though dost marry, I will give thee this plague for thy dowry,” Hamlet is crueler to Ophelia than he was to his mother (Act 3 Scene 1). Further, Hamlet tells her that even if she is as clean as the driven snow and as pristine as the ice, she will not be able to avoid slander. Hamlet warns his girlfriend that her notoriety will precede her everywhere she goes because she is unsuited for matrimony. In addition, he implies that she should not procreate since their child would be doomed to sin. With his relentless criticisms and killing of Polonius, he drives Ophelia insane and ultimately to her death. Hamlet’s transformation into a villain is highlighted by the fact that he is indirectly responsible for the death of his lover.
Hamlet has the makings of a tragic hero at the beginning of the play. However, as it progresses, he comes into contact with progressively corrupt people, and his heroic destiny is destroyed. Hamlet blames everyone else except himself for everything wrong with the world throughout the play, yet he never once apologizes for his bad behavior. By the end of the play, Hamlet no longer resembles a hero and more closely resembles a villain, full of unethical and evil impulses and devoid of his former inner decency.
In Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes, the eponymous hero is a nobleman who has become disillusioned with the world around him and decides to take up the mantle of a knight-errant. When Don Quixote originally went out on his journey as a knight-errant, he hoped to win immortal glory by reviving the chivalric ideals of legendary knights (most notably Amadis of Gaul). Part of this fantasy was being a chivalrous knight who rescues damsels in distress and stands up for the rights of the helpless. In reality, Don Quixote is full of delusions of grandeur and a lack of self-awareness, which leads to his downfall.
One example of Don Quixote’s anti-heroic behavior is when he attacks a group of innocent sheep, mistaking them for a monstrous enemy. He charges at them with his lance, causing the sheep to stampede and causing chaos and destruction in the village. When asked why he did this, Don Quixote replies, “By the life of my lady Dulcinea, I swear that I am not mistaken. These are not sheep, but a monstrous and fearsome horde of enemies” (De Cervantes 61). This shows how Don Quixote’s delusions and misperceptions lead him to act in ways that are foolish and dangerous.
Another example is when Don Quixote attacks a group of merchants and their muleteers, thinking they are robbers and villains. In reality, the merchants are simply trying to make a living by selling their goods, and the muleteers are just doing their job. Don Quixote’s attack on them is completely unjustified, and it causes them great harm and distress. “The merchants and muleteers, seeing themselves attacked by a madman, began to defend themselves as best they could” (De Cervantes 97). This shows how Don Quixote’s delusions cause him to act aggressively and harmlessly, making him an anti-hero.
The above examples show that Don Quixote’s actions are misguided and self-serving, causing harm to those around him, which is not typical of a knight. This can also be seen in his obsession with fantastical stories and his inability to distinguish reality from fiction. He believes himself to be a great knight, but his actions are often comical and far from heroic. For instance, he attacks windmills, thinking they are giants, and tilts at trees, believing them to be knights. In one quote, he states, “I know who I am, and who I may be, if I choose. I am the valorous Don Quixote de la Mancha, the undoer of wrongs and injustices” (De Cervantes 79). This grandiose declaration shows his delusions of grandeur and lack of self-awareness.
Despite his grandiose beliefs, Don Quixote is a tragic figure who cannot reconcile his ideological goals with the world’s harsh realities. Throughout the story, he is repeatedly disappointed and disillusioned by the corruption and brutality he sees, from criminals who fool him into thinking they are giants to prostitutes who use his compassion. Despite his gallant attempts to defend the code of chivalry and restore justice to the world, Don Quixote is finally conquered by the cynicism and greed of the people around him.
The antiheroes in Hamlet and Don Quixote are featured as a reflection of the complexity and contradictions of the human condition. Both characters struggle with their inner turmoil and struggle to find their place in the world. In Hamlet, the titular character is plagued by indecision and self-doubt, leading him to procrastinate and ultimately seek revenge for his father’s murder. He is consumed by his thoughts and struggles to act decently, causing him to be perceived as weak and indecisive by others. Similarly, Don Quixote is a flawed and misguided character who seeks to live by a code of chivalry in a world that no longer values such ideals. His delusions of grandeur and pursuit of impossible quests ultimately lead to his downfall and ridicule.
These antiheroes highlight the human tendency to be driven by emotions and self-interest, often leading to misguided actions and, ultimately, failure. They also showcase the human struggle to find meaning and purpose in a world that may not always align with our ideals and desires. In this way, these works of literature depict the human position in this world as one of constant struggle and conflict.
Conclusion
In each of these works of fiction, the antiheroes are defined by their struggles and rejection of traditional heroic ideals. Unlike the traditional heroes of classical literature, who are motivated by a sense of honor, duty, and righteousness, these antiheroes are motivated by disillusionment and skepticism. They are forced to confront the corruption and cruelty of the world around them, which undermines their faith in the gods. These characters may not fit the traditional mold of a hero, but they are complex, multifaceted, and often deeply relatable, making them compelling figures in literature.
Works Cited
De Cervantes, Miguel. Don Quixote. Lulu. Com, 2016.
Shakespeare William. Hamlet. Floating Press 2008.