It is said that one cannot truly understand ones character without understanding ones character foils. In the play Hamlet, the various characters play a vital role in the story by allowing the reader to truly understand the character of Hamlet. Through comparing the different characters and their character foils one is able to gain insight on Hamlet. Shakespeare uses Laertes, Fortinbras and Horartio as a means of comparison and contrast to Hamlet's character. Through examining the similarities and differences of these characters to Hamlet, the reader is able to better recognize the character traits of Hamlet, and is able to better understand his downfall.
Laertes plays a very important role in the play, as one is able to better understand Hamlet's character by learning about him. Laertes is a mirror to Hamlet. They are both men who loved and respected their fathers and they both sought revenge for their father's death. The also both loved Ophelia; Laertes loved her as a sister, while Hamlet wanted her to be his wife. These are two men who are very proud and arrogant. They felt that they needed to prove to themselves and to each other who truly loved her most by quarrelling at Ophelia's funeral, "I loved Ophelia. Forty thousand brothers could not with all their quantity of love make up my sum." (pg. 255) The differences between theses two men are also important. Laertes is decisive and Hamlet is not. When called to avenge his father's death, Laertes was fast to act. He wanted revenge and he wanted it immediately. He does not think before he acts and thinks only of the consequences of his actions afterwards, "The foul practice hath turned itself on me. Lo here I lie, never to rise again." (pg. 281) Hamlet thinks over what he is to do, and how he is to avenge the murder of his father. Hamlet is the one who delays and thinks too much about everything. Through comparing and contrasting these two characters one is able to truly understand their character foils that led to their death.
Hamlet Hamlet is a young man who's father dies and his life is turned upside down. ... Hamlet is battling his conscience. ... Hamlet is extremely indecisive. ... Hamlet wants to kill his uncle because he killed hamlets father. ... Hamlet only trusts Horatio. ...
The old king Hamlet is murder by Claudius and therefore Hamlet must take his revenge. ... Hamlet begins to doubt the ghost. ... Hamlet is contradicts himself. ... Hamlet's next problem is that of morality. ... Hamlet's flaw of irresolution, the uncertainty on how to act or proceed, is shown when Hamlet sees a play and the passion the actors had, after Hamlet's third soliloquy, in Hamlet's fourth soliloquy, and in Hamlet's indecisive pursuit in avenging his father's death. ...
Hamlet In the play Hamlet, written by William Shakespeare, Hamlet never loses his sanity, in his plan to feign madness. ... It is after this statement that Hamlet begins to act mad. ... Guildenstern asks Hamlet what he means by this and Hamlet professes he is "" . . . but mad north-north-west. ... Polonius believe he [Hamlet] was mad. ... In a conversation, Gertrude questions Hamlet's sanity. ...
Hamlet In the play Hamlet, written by William Shakespeare, Hamlet never loses his sanity, in his plan to feign madness. ... It is after this statement that Hamlet begins to act mad. ... Guildenstern asks Hamlet what he means by this and Hamlet professes he is "" . . . but mad north-north-west. ... Polonius believe he [Hamlet] was mad. ... In a conversation, Gertrude questions Hamlet's sanity. ...
KING Now, Hamlet, where's Polonius? HAMLET At supper. ... If Claudius does not stand on one side of a titanic conflict, his betrayal of Hamlet's father and Marriage to Hamlet's mother, do ignite one: Hamlet's conflict with himself. ... In the end Hamlet dies along with most of the principle characters whether they were duplicities against Hamlet or not. ... By the end of the play Hamlet has thoroughly explored the question but like Hamlet, it remains an enigma. ...
Hamlet The study of Shakespeare's Hamlet has been one that is very extensive as well as enormous. ... A critic of Hamlet once said, "a man set out to read all the books about Hamlet would have time to read nothing else, not even Hamlet." ... "Hamlet is the tragedy of reflection. ... For where Hamlet saw that "the time is out of joint," Hamlet himself was "out of joint." ... (Mack. 64) Hamlet begins his questioning with the death of elder Hamlet. ...
Hamlet 1 Throughout Hamlet, Hamlet expresses his thoughts via several soliloquies. ... In this scene, Hamlet is being "set up" by Ophelia, Polonius, and Claudius. ... This is quite different than the "emotional Hamlet" seen in 1.2, or the "vengeful Hamlet" seen in 1.5. ... The three claim to be concerned for Hamlet's mental state of mind. This is ironic, because as the characters within the play see Hamlet mentally deteriorating, readers see Hamlet mentally developing. ...
Hamlet Tania Kozie-Slobodzian Hamlet is categorized as one of Shakespeare's tragedies. ... Horatio a friend of Hamlet tells Hamlet that he is afraid because he thinks he has seen a ghost who resembles the late King. ... The Ghost of Hamlet's father appears in front of Hamlet. The ghost is in fact Hamlet's late father. ... Now that Hamlet is said to be crazy, Polonius goes to the King and tells him about Hamlet's strange behavior concerning Ophelia. ...
