In the play Hamlet, three young men influence Hamlet in a major way. In the play, there are three young men with similar ages, traits, and problems. The three young men, which include Fortinbras, Laertes, and Horatio, are mirrors for Hamlet. Each man contributes to Hamlets growing awareness of self.
Hamlet has a foil from a character that is not even close to him in the play, the young Fortinbras, the nephew to the king of Norway. Fortinbrass father, the king was killed, and his uncle, the kings brother took over the crown. The exact same thing happened to Hamlet. Both countries, Norway and Denmark, also have a prince who feels that they were robbed from the crown. Unlike Hamlet, Fortinbras takes an active role in Norways leadership. Fortinbras name even signifies his persistent leadership and character. In Latin, Fortinbras means strong in arms. In Act 4 Scene 4, also known as the Epiphany scene, Fortinbras leads his army on to Poland because he wants to avenge his fathers death by taking what he believes to be rightfully his. Through Fortinbrass military actions, Hamlet realizes rightly to be great is not to stir without great argument, but greatly to find quarrel in a straw when honors at the stake (4.4.56-59). Hamlet now knows that one must stand up for himself when ones honor is on the line. Hamlet spends most of his time sulking or complaining, and it makes him seem a little spoiled and cowardly, as if he doesnt want to face the real world. He keeps his plot for revenge a secret. Fortinbrass willingness to go to great lengths to avenge his fathers death, even to the extreme of war, blatantly contrasts with Hamlets inactivity, even though both of them are concerned with avenging their fathers. Fortinbrass thorough determination towards final revenge of this father's death contrasts with Hamlet's uneasy efforts towards the same goal. When Fortinbras first appears, Hamlet is in a dreary state of mind. Fortinbrass victorious entry into Denmark proves his ability to plan and act, dodging any obstacles in his path that might come up. Fortinbrass leadership characteristics clearly contrasts with Hamlet's inability to do the same. Hamlet condemns himself and exposes one of his weaknesses; his inability to act when required Fortinbras' leadership of the Norways army further weakens Hamlets character, as he is unable to lead himself to put his plan into action. In the last scene, as hamlet is dieing due to a poisonous injury, Hamlet changes. Hamlet gives the crown of Denmark to Fortinbras. In response to Hamlets generous gift, Fortinbras shows his reference for Hamlet by stating that the soldiers music and the rite of war speak loudly for him (5.2.444-446). Fortinbras grants Hamlet the burial of honorable royalty out his respect for Hamlets actions. Both characters show a mutual respect for each other.
In a similar way, Laertes is a foil to Hamlet. He also seeks revenge for his father Poloniuss death, and does so very openly. Both Hamlet and Laertes want revenge for their father's death. But Laertes wants revenge from Hamlet. Hamlet killed Polonius by accident when he was in his mother's bedroom because he thought it was the king. Laertes also, like his father, has the same rashness and spontaneity as Hamlet. Laertess single-minded, furious desire to avenge Polonius stands in direct opposition to Hamlets inactivity with regard to his own fathers death. Laertess course of action emphasizes this tragic flaw. By contrast, Laertes does little thinking of his own. Towards the end of the play, his constant action gives him the upper hand in his quest for revenge. Laertes acts without forethought: "Let come what comes," he cries, "only I'll be revenged most thoroughly for my father" (4.5.153-154). His surrender to Claudiuss conniving plot and becoming nothing more than a puppet in the king's game, however, highlights one of Hamlet's strengths: he is not easily influenced by those around him. Hamlet and Laertes are very different is their chosen paths to seek revenge. Laertess righteous indignation, his direct speech, open accusation, and reckless determination contrast sharply with Hamlet's constant equivocations, verbal games, buffoonery, and procrastination. If revenge is a means of obtaining justice in a heroic society, the static Laertes is the only true avenger of the play: the exostatic Hamlet accepts the revenge only as an idea but is temperamentally unsuited to put it to action, while the endostatic Fortinbras uses personal revenge only as a ploy in a political game. (Sadowski). One similarity between Hamlet and Laertes is their love for Ophelia. Obviously they are completely different kinds of love, but both are extremely strong. Laertes cares greatly for his sister and gives her strong advice concerning the relationship between Hamlet and herself. He warns her against keeping a relation with him, showing that he doesnt like Hamlet. Laertes warns Ophelia that perhaps he loves you now, and now no soil nor cautel doth besmirch the virtue of his will; but you must fear; his greatness weighed his will is not his own, for he himself is subject to his birth, he may not, as unvalued persons do, carve for himself, for on his choice depends the safety and the health of the state (1.1.16-25). He tells her that Hamlet may love her know, but he my not be able to choose his own wife due to his royal position. Laertes tells Ophelia to be cautious toward Hamlet because he could break her heart. After Ophelia rejects Hamlet, his love dies off and he gets pale and sickly, showing how much he cared for her. When Ophelia dies, both are shocked and enraged. Both men were very distraught over her death. Laertes blamed Hamlet for the death. At Ophelias burial, both end up jumping into Ophelias grave and fighting each other over her dead body. Their extreme love for her and profound hate for each other is almost a mystery. In Act 4 Scene 7, Laertes agrees to a shameful dual with Hamlet, in which Laertes will dishonorably kill hamlet with a cheap shot from and unbated, poisonous sword tip. As soon as Laertes stabs Hamlet, Laertes realizes it is almost against my conscious(5.2.324). Laertes feels bad about plotting against Hamlet and Cheaply killing him. Because Laertes feels bad about the foul act he has committed he tells Hamlet that thou art slainno medicine in the world can do thee goodin thee there is not half an hours lifethe treacherous instrument is in thy hand, unbated and envenomed (5.2.344-348). Out of mutual respect for each other, the two dieing men exchange forgiveness. Laertes pleads, Exchange forgiveness with me noble Hamlet. Mine and my fathers death come not upon thee, nor thine on me. (5.2.361-364). Hamlet responds, heaven make thee free of it. (5.2.365).
The last and most influential foil to Hamlet is Hamlets best friend Horatio. Horatios dedication and loyalty contrasts with Hamlets inconsistency and impulsiveness. Hamlet and Horatio are of the same age and the same social class. They are fellow students and basically best friends. Throughout the play there is no one closer to Hamlet than Horatio most likely because they are such good friends. In the play, Hamlet talks the most to Horatio. Although they are both very similar, they have some serious differences as well. Horatio is rational while Hamlet is often edgy. The importance of Horatio in the play is to be a best friend who Hamlet can come to and talk about what is going on in his life. The reader instantly recognizes the genuine friendship between Horatio and Hamlet when Hamlet greets Horatio by saying, Sir my good friend. Ill change they name with you. And what makes you from Whittenberg, Horatio? (1.2.169-170). Hamlet is truly glad to see Horatio. As Hamlet's disposition becomes increasingly real, Horatio is his only anchor to reality. Hamlet relies increasingly on Horatio, depending on him to confirm Hamlet's observations of the king during the play scene, clouded by thoughts of revenge and conflicting feelings of anger, hatred and uncertainty. Horatio serves as Hamlet's moderate second thought when Hamlet can no longer care for himself. Horatio urges Hamlet to be cautious with the ghost at their first meeting, and tries to persuade him to withdraw from the duel with Laertes in the final scene. Horatios strong code of honor and ethics contrasts with Hamlet's lack of morals. Hamlet praises Horatio for his balance. Hamlet says to Horatio, For thou hast been as one in suffering all that suffers nothing, a man that Fortunes buffets and rewards hast taen with equal thanks; and blessed are those whose blood and judgment are so well commeddled that they are not a pipe for Fortunes finger to sound what stop she please. Give me that man that is not passions slave, and I will wear him in my hearts core, ay, in my heart of heart, as I do thee. (3.2.69-79). Hamlet realizes his own responses are uneven and commends Horatio for his calmness in the height of action. In the last scene, Horatio becomes Hamlets voice. Hamlet needs Horatio to restore Hamlets honor and clear his name. Horatio strongly says to the people, Let me speak to th yet unknowing world how these things came aboutall this I can truly deliver. (5.2.421-429). Horatio comes out as strong as he ever has been in the last scene. Horatio forcefully delivers a speech to clear his best friend Hamlets name.
By exposing and emphasizing Hamlet's many strengths and weaknesses as they appear throughout the play, Fortinbras, Laertes and Horatio act as foils to the tragic hero. Hamlet, Laertes, and Fortinbras are all in a position to seek revenge for the murders of their fathers, and their situations are deeply intertwined. Hamlets father killed Fortinbrass father, and Hamlet killed Laertes father, meaning that Hamlet occupies the same role for Laertes as Claudius does for Hamlet. All three men assist in the understanding of Hamlet and solidify the complexity of Hamlets character.
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