The character of Fortinbras is the foil that is most similar to Hamlet in regards to circumstance. I agree that Fortinbras is a great foil to Hamlet - there are many parallels in theirs lives (which add balance to the narrative) - the deaths of their fathers being the main one and that they are both crown princes. The new husband has been elected King, over Hamlet's own claim. Great parallel and analysis! Driven by ideas of honor and glory, Fortinbras is also willing to submit to the institutions with greater authority. Laertes of Hamlet William Shakespeare and Foils of Fortinbras wrote a classic script, Hamlet, in the 16th century. I'm always glad when people can discover new elements in classic works. Unlike Laertes, Foil is a small role in literary works, forming a hero through similarities and differences in individuality. John Sarkis from Winter Haven, FL on September 03, 2012: Enjoy this hub...you wrote another one on Dostoevsky's "Karamazov" which I thought was really good and this one is right up there... Seth Tomko (author) from Macon, GA on May 01, 2012: just like any essay found online. This revelation leads Hamlet to praise Fortinbras: Witness this army of such mass and charge. Thank you, Trish_M for yet another look at this complex literary character. He wishes he wasn't such a coward over something that has really insulted him. Hubpages, date website was accessed. As was mentioned in the previous post, Horatio is trustworthy, rational, and level-headed. Unlike Fortinbras, he is not a natural soldier. Fortinbras goes about his revenge is a different way than Laertes and Hamlet though. The killer is Old Hamlet's own brother, Claudius. Fortinbras’ characteristics bring out both the worst and the best out Hamlet throughout the play. "Title." Fortinbras’ revenge is driven by honor. Fortinbras wishes to recover the territory that was lost when his father died. That is to say, that Fortinbras' whole purpose in the play is to show the difference between the two characters. Tricia Mason from The English Midlands on March 04, 2010: Yes, Hamlet is a thinker and Fortinbras is a doer, but they have much in common. Fortinbras is a soldier and Laertes is hot-headed, so killing someone Fortinbras only appears twice in the play, and he does not speak more than nine lines at any one time. How can he kill the king, when he is always surrounded by guards, yet if he kills him when he is alone at prayer, won't that send him directly to the pleasures of Heaven? In many ways his story is parallel to Hamlet's: he too has lost his father by violence (Old Hamlet killed Old Fortinbras in single combat); he too is impeded from ascending the throne by an interfering uncle. Robert Erich from California on April 26, 2012: I just wrote an essay on Hamlet last year - in regards to these three fine men. However, Fortinbras is more aggressive and even sneaky. Hamlet and Fortinbras have lost their fathers to untimely deaths. Fortinbras goes about his revenge is a different way than Laertes and Hamlet though. Fortinbras. The final character foil to Hamlet is Fortinbras. Matters how you want to look at it. There is no soul-searching, no worrying about an afterlife and no concerns about conscience. Hamlet is a royal prince of the Danish court. Denmark. Claudius killed Hamlet's father, King Hamlet, and King Hamlet killed Fortinbras' father. Hamlet knows that Claudius is evil but Laertes is fooled. Fortinbras acts as a foil to Hamlet due to their similar goals. Horatio is concerned with Fortinbras’s army, and this concern colors the play since it is one of the foremost concerns on the minds of the characters. In Act IV Scene IV, Hamlet’s soliloquy points out every one of Fortinbras’ qualities that Hamlet admires. He has not checked the details of the death or whether he has his facts right. Hamlet and Fortinbras have lost their fathers to untimely deaths. In William Shakespeare's play "Hamlet", the main character, Hamlet, has three major foils.These foils are his close friend Horatio, Fortinbras, Prince of Norway, and the brother of his love, Laertes. Fortinbras and Hamlet are both named for their fathers. THanks for an intersting and thought-provoking read. While dying, Hamlet leaves the throne to Denmark to Fortinbras, and we feel sure that Denmark will be safe in the hands of this man. Fortinbras as Foil for Hamlet In the play, Hamlet, by William Shakespeare, the character of Fortinbras, has been used as a foil for the main character, Hamlet. he is not incisive like Fortinbras and that he does not even show as much Shakespeare's Birthplace Visitor Centre. A man of action, he wishes to regain the land lost in Norway during the period of uncertainly after King Hamlet's death. Tricia Mason from The English Midlands on March 11, 2010: Seth Tomko (author) from Macon, GA on March 08, 2010: Tricia Mason from The English Midlands on March 08, 2010: I wrote an item on Hamlet's foils a while ago and I have now submitted it ti this site. Hamlet knows that Claudius is evil but Laertes is fooled. He wishes he wasn't such a coward over something that has really insulted him. Hamlet and Fortinbras as foil characters. He is a scholar, and would prefer to spend his time in Wittenberg, rather than at court, but may not go because the king wishes it that way. I'm happy to help. Fortinbras acts first and thinks about it later. What if he does kill Claudius, won't that secure a place for himself in Purgatory? Is Claudius genuinely guilty, or is the ghost really a devil, giving misleading information? When an author uses a foil in literature they are emphasizing not only strengths and … considering all options, before making decisions. Since the … October 23, 2012, erwin, Leave a comment. I'll add a link to your hub. I can truly say, YOU NAILED it, I was trying to research the subject and reading what some of these other articles were documenting and to say the least i was quite disappointed!!! and wrong and their long-term effects. Which of the following is not an accurate assessment of how he uses the allusion. Fortinbras wishes to recover the territory that was lost when his father died. cdub77 from Portland Or on November 18, 2010: Great hub! For example, Hamlet does not stop until his father is avenged during the climax of the story. You're right in that Fortinbras is a character who lurks at the edges of the play for the most part, so it is easy to not see all the different elements he brings. young men succeed in avenging their fathers' deaths. Thank you for your comment. Ambassadors from Norway come and explain the situation to Claudius. Fortinbras may be a soldier, but he’s no butcher. Though he two are foils of each other, Hamlet deeply respects Fortinbras it seems. Hamlet would be a very difficult game to understand without using foil well. Hamlet is a thinker. Hamlet has a better case for revenge, because his father was murdered by his uncle, whereas Fortinbras’ father was killed fairly, in a duel, against the late King Hamlet, therefore Fortinbras wants revenge on Denmark.Hamlet pursues his revenge sensibly, at first, by testing the words of the ghost with a play. Tricia Mason (author) from The English Midlands on May 09, 2012: I think that Laertes is, indeed, presented as an overly hot-headed young man ~ ie the opposite of the over-thinking Hamlet. While he is in distress, he encounters a ghost demanding revenge. He over thinks things. Because Hamlet and Fortinbras both lost their fathers and have sworn to avenge their deaths, Fortinbras is a perfect parallel of Hamlet. He is not a Hamlet hesitates, but Laertes seeks immediate action. Hamlet hesitates. The Foils of Laertes and Fortinbras in Hamlet William Shakespeare wrote the classic play, Hamlet in the sixteenth century. Hamlet launches into a self deprecating rant about how much of a coward he is. Certainly Fortinbrasacts as a foil to Hamletwith respect to the theme of action and revenge. However, he serves as a foil to Hamlet because he takes very decisive action in terms of getting revenge for his father. Another foil to Hamlet is Prince Fortinbras of Norway. Hamlet is in emotional turmoil. Any writing I find regarding you is a treasure to find. I think you are right, Fortinbras is a foil, and a good one, too. In Claudius's opening speech in the following lines he utilizes what rhetorical device. did. 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