- Hamlet, the title character of the play, who seeks to avenge his father's death
- Othello, a noble and tragic figure who is ultimately destroyed by his own jealousy
- King Lear, an aging monarch who must confront his own folly and the betrayal of his daughters
- Macbeth, a Scottish nobleman who is consumed by his ambition for power
- Prospero, the rightful Duke of Milan who is exiled to a remote island and uses his magic to seek revenge on his enemies.
These are just a few examples of the many complex and compelling male protagonists found in Shakespeare's plays. While Shakespeare certainly created many memorable heroines, it is inaccurate to say that his works lack heroic male characters.