What Are The Foils Of Fortinbras In Hamlet

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The definition of a foil is “a character who contrasts with another character (usually the protagonist) in order to highlight particular qualities of the other character.” Foils are often the authors way of portraying his characters and who they really are. In William Shakespeare's play "Hamlet", Shakespeare uses dramatic foils throughout the play to display Hamlets character.
Fortinbras/ Laertes: Hamlet is displayed as being everything that Fortinbras and Laertes are not. While both Fortinbras and Laertes do all they can to avenge and gain revenge for their father’s deaths, Hamlet creates a play. Fortinbras and Laertes are both avid fighters and go to war over their father’s death. Hamlet chooses to go mad within his castle. Fortinbras and Laertes have no problem killing to achieve what they want while Hamlet struggles killing his uncle. He even continues to live with his uncle day by day. Laertes loves and trees to protect his remaining family, his sister. Hamlet does all he can to guilt trip and upset his mother. One of the few similarities between Fortinbras and Laertes and Hamlet would be their lust for revenge for their deaths of their fathers. They are both on a mission of revenge for the loss of their fathers. Hamlet's best friend …show more content…
Claudius is good at taking what he wants when he wants it, while Hamlet plays the safer route. Claudius has no problem killing those he loves in order to obtain happiness for himself, while Hamlet struggles with killing at all. Hamlet loves his family more than his crown, while Claudius loves the crown more than his family. Claudius is also very reserved. He doesn’t enjoy plays or large parties it seems. Hamlet is all about the social life. Claudius is good at politics and managing people; Hamlet doesn't seem to be very good at this at all. Claudius feels no shame in marrying his brother’s wife for lust, while Hamlet shames the very woman he loves for sleeping with

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