Hamlet is not an archetypal hero. From the definition of an archetypal hero, it is clear that an archetypal hero is a character who is supposed to make an appearance in all epics and religions that are in the world and also all mythologies that are existing in the world. An archetypal hero is a character who is an appearance to the collective and personal unconscious of individuals. Generally, all individuals with archetypal hero characteristics tend to share most of their characteristics.
From Hamlet by Shakespeare, Hamlet as a character is not regarded as an archetypal hero instead he is regarded as a catastrophic hero. Hamlet is assigned a task to carry out but a flaw of personality guides the way. At the end, Hamlet succeeds to clean the evil of Denmark and avenges the death of his father. The people who are guilty end up dying needlessly which approves Hamlet to be a catastrophic hero.
In this context, Hamlet is not seen as a good hero. He is seen as a flawed character who is trying to perform something heroic. Hamlet is regarded as a non-hero character in the modern concept. Although in his actions Hamlet can be referred to as brave, intelligent, fearless at some point, merciless to betrayers, good-hearted also, loyal more so to his father, which qualifies the word hero in the acts performed. In this environment, Hamlet can be regarded through the role he played as a great hero.
All the actions Hamlet performed makes him fit for the word hero. Even some of the deeds in the characters affected other people, there was a group that was impressed by this actions which raised Hamlet to the standards of being regarded as a hero. Apart from being merciless to those people who were betrayers Hamlet was a good-hearted character meaning that only the right deeds were condoned to be done in the society.
Since Hamlet is not an archetypal hero, Fortinbras who tends to be a loyal character to Hamlet orders a hero’s burial for Hamlet at the finale of the drama. I agree with the declaration of Fortinbras that Hamlet deserved a heroic burial. Hamlet acted like a soldier. Like from the play where it is stated: “Let four captains bear Hamlet like a soldier to the platform for he was likely, had he been king…” This statement means that Hamlet was a respected character who had proved to the people the character of being loyal. Fortinbras gives Hamlet respect and proclaims Hamlet to be loyal. Hamlet died as a king form this perception. Hamlet was regal. If the father of Hamlet was alive then he would have been so proud of witnessing the achievements of his son. Furthermore, Hamlet is seen avenging the death of his father.
Hamlet as Fortinbras suggested deserved a heroic funeral. In the play, Hamlet showed prove of being courageous up to the end. In his duty Hamlet eliminated the bad characters like Claudius as a soldier. Therefore, as Fortinbras states Hamlet deserved all sorts of honors that are presented to a soldier during the burial session. The military show and soldiers’ music was preferably fit for Hamlet’s burial because of his solidarity deeds. This proves a lack of doubt from Fortinbras’s opinion of honoring Hamlet. Indeed, Hamlet deserved a double honor since he was a great man.
Another point is that Hamlet in his role maintains the council he had from the first appointment. This reflects a sign of being a brave man when considering the status of the surrounding adventure. Hamlet acts according to his own honor in revenging his father without worrying about the consequences the act was to cause. Hamlet also because the mother hesitated on the idea of killing his uncle. This was a sign of honor and a lot of respect for the mother since Hamlet felt that the mother will not feel good about losing a husband and brother to the husband at the same time.
Hamlet acted immediately after watching what Claudius did and how it affected the society. This signifies the reason why he deserves to be honored and why Fortinbras recommended a heroic burial for him at the end. Hamlet behaves as a risk great individual who is brave enough in all actions made. Claudius was an individual who was likely to face a lot of threats but Hamlet allows him to meet an accident.
Therefore, the idea of Fortinbras ordering for a heroic burial for Hamlet as the play ends is a reasonable idea that fits Hamlet to be buried as a hero. According to the play, there no point where Hamlet is seen doing anything that is unconstructive to the audience. All the actions that Hamlet commanded were meant to highly secure the society and bring peace and unity within. Like for instance, in the case where Hamlet is termed as merciless to betrayers means that Hamlet has no room for evil doers but only supports the loyal and trustworthy individuals. Hamlet only favors those individuals who bring a sense of development to the society. He was a brave man in his deeds and aimed at shaping the society in a right manner. He also respects elders and generally all people. The idea of Fortinbras that Hamlet should be buried as a hero is valid since its evident from the character and deeds of Hamlet that he is a hero.