The concept of archetypes, which are universal characters or images that appear again in all kinds of literature. The primary archetype and its shadow archetype are the two sides of its nature. All the dark tendencies that are typically repressed in the primary form are included in the shadow counterparts. This notion is ideal for developing fictional characters because the shadow is what occurs when you take any quality to its extreme. The natural shadow of the character's archetype is the best place to look for inspiration when figuring out how to analyze a realistic flaw.

Hamlet represents the idealistic innocent or child character since he is a perpetual student. The Child archetype includes aspects including growing to potential, growing up, and realizing self. Hamlet is referred to as "young Hamlet" or "noble youth" numerous times, despite there being disagreements over how old he is supposed to be. The plot centers on the issue of whether Hamlet can quit moping, grow up, and avenge his father's death despite the presence of ghosts and curiosity. Coming-of-age stories typically follow this archetype. 

Hamlet assumes the role of the Tragic Hero after seeing his father's ghost and the absurd relationship among his mother and uncle. The Tragic Hero involves facing a fatal flaw, neither good nor evil, and suffering more than they deserve. The archetype almost disappears by the conclusion due to the fact that the task Hamlet wishes to complete becomes unjustifiable by moral law.  It develops into a tragic flaw that results in a devastating outcome. By murdering his uncle in an attempt to exact revenge on his father, Hamlet upsets the natural order and results in a number of unintentional fatalities, including that of his love interest Ophelia. Other Tragic Heroes include Oedipus in Oedipus Rex