Hamlet: Shakespeare Tragic Hero In Shakespeare's play, Hamlet, the main character is a classic example of a Shakespearean tragic hero. Hamlet is considered to be a tragic hero because he has a tragic flaw that in the end, is the cause of his downfall. The play is an example of a Shakespearean tragic play because it has all of the characteristics of the tragic play. As defined by Aristotle, a tragic play has a beginning, middle, and end; unity of time and place; a tragic hero; and the concept of catharsis. One of the main reasons this play is considered a tragic play is because the main character is a tragic hero.