Hamlet Essay

Submitted By idlugz
Words: 932
Pages: 4
Open Document
In William Shakespeare's tragic play Hamlet, Laertes, Fortinbras and Hamlet find themselves in similar situations. While Hamlet waits for the perfect time to avenge his father's death by murdering Claudius, Laertes learns of his father's death and instantly seeks vengeance, and Fortinbras awaits his chance to recapture lands that were lost by his father, Old Fortinbras. The latter two go about accomplishing their tasks quite differently than Hamlet. While Hamlet acts slowly and with lots of thought, Laertes and Fortinbras seek their revenge rapidly with a sense or urgency. Although Laertes and Fortinbras are minor characters, Shakespeare works them in, in order to contrast with Hamlet. Fortinbras and, to an even greater extent, Laertes act as foils to Hamlet with their motives for revenge, execution of their revengeful plans and behavior while executing their plans.
While all three of Fortinbras, Laertes, and Hamlet end up wanting the same thing, revenge for their fathers’ deaths, they all had different motives for seeking their revenge. Since Fortinbras is a minor character, his motives were fairly simple. His father, Old Fortinbras, was killed in a battle against Denmark. Denmark also took over Norwegian lands in that battle. Fortinbras wanted to win back those lands or other lands. Perhaps for his own pride, his father’s legacy, or most likely both. Laertes on the other hand, didn’t know a single thing about his father’s death. He was in France and simply heard of it. His motives were as simple and straightforward as possible: you murdered my father, so I must kill you. Meanwhile, young Hamlet’s motives for vengeance were more complex. Before even knowing that Claudius was his father’s murderer, he disliked him for rapidly marrying his mother, Gertrude. Then, after meeting his father’s ghost, he knew about Claudius’ dirty deed and promised the ghost to complete the task, making it his mission: “So Uncle, there you are. Now to my word.” Clearly three different motives, but all three also had different plans as well.
Although all three characters want to do the same thing, they chose three different ways to accomplish their task. First, Fortinbras wants to win back the lands his father lost. With Old Hamlet dead, he thought it was a great time to do so. Claudius knew, “…He hath not failed to pester us with message importing the surrender of those lands lost by his father…” and he sent representatives to stop him. Fortinbras was hardly devastated. His plan immediately shifted towards winning lands from the Poles, and he simply just asked Denmark for permission to pass through. Fortinbras wins the lands, and in the end, ironically, he gets all of Denmark as he becomes King. His plan was a medium between the polar opposites of Hamlet and Laertes. Laertes heard of his father’s death and returned from France. He crowded Claudius with a mob, ready to kill him, thinking Claudius was his father’s murderer. Claudius convinced him to kill Hamlet. They organized a fencing match where Laertes would kill Hamlet with a sharpened, poisoned sword. For back up, Hamlet’s drink was poisoned as well. The plan was successful, but also back fired. Hamlet was killed, but Laertes died because of his dirty trick as well. Now as for the crazy Hamlet’s plan. He didn’t really have a clear idea of how, when, where and if he would kill Claudius. He put on an antic disposition to throw everyone off. He verified that Claudius was guilty by adding lines to a play, which mimicked the murder of Old Hamlet. Claudius’ reaction was clearly proof. Hamlet missed a glorious opportunity to kill Claudius when he was
Show More

Related Documents: Hamlet Essay

Hamlet: Gertrude and Hamlet Essay

Essay On Hamlet The story of Hamlet brings out interesting character with interesting characteristics that are shown throughout the tragic story. Many characters have their own motives and goals that they ultimately want to accomplish by the end of this story. These motives can have somewhat of malicious or o innocent intent as each character is only doing the things they do in benefit of themselves. Whether it be for more power or just happiness these characters cunningly scheme their way to their…

Words 925 - Pages 4

Hamlet: Hamlet and Famous Play Hamlet Essay examples

Rollin Luis November 25, 2014 Hamlet For this essay we are going to be talking about William Shakespeare’s famous play Hamlet. Hamlet, Prince of Denmark, is visited by the ghost of his father and told that his uncle Claudius, who is now King, was responsible for his murder. Hamlet is torn about trying to avenge him, and ends up pretending to be insane. He hires actors to do a play about a man who kills his brother to become king to see Claudius' reaction. Hamlet confirms that Claudius was responsible…

Words 1150 - Pages 5

Hamlet Essay

Mrs. Manley ELA 12 16 January 2015 Hamlet Comparison/Contrast Essay Kenneth Branuagh and Mel Gibson have two different takes on the film Hamlet. While there are not so many similarities, there are many differences. Because both films take different takes of the text I believe both films are effective in their own way. The two films many be very different but the have some similarities, the setting, plot and little things like Hamlet wears black clothes in both or Ophelia sings after she goes insane…

Words 536 - Pages 3

Hamlet: Hamlet and Queen Gertrude Essay

Jaymar Golveo Hamlet Spiritual Poison Evidence: “O, from this time forth, my thoughts be bloody” Act 4, Scene 4 Delaying in his pursue to avenge the death of his father, this caused Hamlet to be disgusted with himself, and at this moment, he results to bloody violence to fulfill his revenge. Hamlet is poisoned by the thought of violence and revenge. He begins to taste the toxic poison by stating that he is ready to result to “bloody” action. Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Spiritual Poison Evidence:…

Words 393 - Pages 2

hamlet essay

John Dover Wilson once wrote a book entitled, What happens in Hamlet. Of course, nothing happens in Hamlet, as anyone who has read the play will know. The play is a study in Hamlet's hesitation, his inability to act, his inability to "force the moment to its crisis." Most of the significant action in the play takes place before the play begins, or takes place off stage (such as the suicide of Ophelia) or occurs in the final scene, when Hamlet avenges the death of his father. Perhaps the only occasion…

Words 756 - Pages 4

Hamlet: Hamlet and Hamlet’s Passion Essay

Hamlet Essay Prompt 3 The desire for revenge or a determination to redress a wrong can always interfere with one’s responsibilities. It interferes because he or she is so concentrated on satisfying that desire and you don’t take notice on how you are behaving. Hamlet would be an example of this desire because he is determined to avenge his father’s death that it interferes with his responsibilities being a prince and lover. Hamlet’s passion becomes a conflict throughout the play and that’s what…

Words 422 - Pages 2

Hamlet Essay

Hamlet Essay Ophelia’s role in William Shakespeare’s The Tragedy of Hamlet is quite confusing. Throughout the play, Ophelia is portrayed as gentle, loyal and obedient, but hides in the background like a supporting actress. She is intended to be Hamlet’s love interest, yet he doesn’t include her in any of his life-changing plans. Ophelia has no major qualities, yet her life and death have an incredible influence on most characters, especially Hamlet. Throughout the entirety of the play, Ophelia…

Words 812 - Pages 4

Hamlet essay

Luba Kalstad January 12, 2015 World Lit: Period 1 Hamlet Essay Thesis: Because of their respect for the king and their concern from Hamlet, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are clear victims in William Shakespeare’s Hamlet because they were unaware of the depth of madness in the royal family, which ultimately caused their death in the end. Someone who has been tricked, sabotaged or killed by another for his or her benefit or pleasure is a victim. Unfortunately for Rosencrantz and Guildenstern they…

Words 1383 - Pages 6

Hamlet essay

Hamlet Final Essay This essay will talk about how people in history failed to recognize there consequences. It will also talk about how people recognized the consequences but couldn’t change the outcome. Then I will talk about lessons I learned from the play hamlet. Then I will say how my life reflects my beliefs and some conflicts in it. One of the biggest consequences that a person failed to recognize was when the first ships came to the United States. There was no way King George the 3rd could…

Words 707 - Pages 3

Hamlet Essay

Being Displaced in Hamlet The quality in such plays that does shake us, however, derives from the underlying fear of being displaced, the disaster inherent in being torn away from our chosen image of what and who we are in this world. Among us today this fear is as strong, and perhaps stronger, than it ever was. In fact, it is the common man who knows this fear best. (Miller, 2). _________________________________________________ Arthur Millers argument of the play Hamlet written by William…

Words 1329 - Pages 6