Hubris

Part A

Hubris comes from the Greek “hybris” which means to humiliate or degrade.  According to Aristotle “hubris consists in doing and saying things that cause shame to the victim” and the rich are hubristic because they…”think they are better than other people.”  Apply the term hubris in the play “Hamlet” to Claudius both by 1) citing an example from within the play which illustrates the term and also by 2) explaining why the character’s action is hubristic. (200 word minimum)

Part B

The play “The Miser” ends as the young couples are allowed to marry, and Harpagon is re-united with his cash box.  Using evidence from the script to support your subject point of view, please explain what is more important to Harpagon: the happiness of his children or his money?  Is Harpagon a winner or a loser?