Hegel believed that Shakespeare's achievement was in creating protagonists who were not just moral ideals or types, but complex individuals with conflicting desires and motivations. Unlike classical tragic heroes, Shakespeare's protagonists were characterized by their psychological depth and inner struggles, making them fully human and relatable to the audience. Additionally, Shakespeare's tragic protagonists often came from different social backgrounds and had a range of different personalities, challenging the traditional notion of what makes a tragic hero. Overall, Hegel saw Shakespeare's portrayal of protagonists in his tragedies as groundbreaking in their complexity and humanity.
