Shakespeare incorporates several foils into his play, Hamlet, to emphasize Prince Hamlet’s personality by contrast. In order for a character to be a foil, they have to have some things in common. These characters each possess significant similarities and differences in comparison with Hamlet, helping the readers further their understanding of him. These foils experience some of the same events as Hamlet, but their choices and behavior differ. Additionally, they show what things could have been like for Hamlet if he made different choices. Laertes, Horatio, Young Fortinbras— each character’s similarities and differences serve to create parallels and contrast to draw attention to Hamlet’s differences and accentuate the true nature of his character
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They are similar and age and each have strong father figure making sure they are behaving. Polonius keeps a watchful eye on Laertes similar to what Claudius does with Hamlet. In act two, scene one, Polonius has Reynaldo try to find gossip about Laertes to see if he is doing anything wrong. In act two, scene two, Claudius orders Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to find out why Hamlet is acting so strangely. Laertes and Hamlet both have murdered fathers and try to avenge their deaths. When angered, both seem to display impulsive reactions. As soon as Laertes hears about the death of his father he immediately assumes the killer is Claudius and announces, “I dare domination…let come what comes, only I’ll be revenged most throughly for my father” (4.5.149-154). Similarly, Hamlet assumes that Claudius is the one spying on his conversation with Gertrude. Consumed with rage, he buffets who he thinks is Claudius, but ends up killing Polonius. Both of their actions are fueled by fury and frustration, and they give little thought to what the consequences will be. Laertes cares for Ophelia, as does Hamlet. They both love her, but in a different way. Laertes’ feelings are as a concerned older brother and Hamlet is actually in love with her. A major difference between Laertes and Hamlet is that Laertes did not procrastinate in his attempt at getting revenge. Hamlet takes the entire play to get his revenge, while Laertes acts immediately.
They are similar and age and each have strong father figure making sure they are behaving. Polonius keeps a watchful eye on Laertes similar to what Claudius does with Hamlet. In act two, scene one, Polonius has Reynaldo try to find gossip about Laertes to see if he is doing anything wrong. In act two, scene two, Claudius orders Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to find out why Hamlet is acting so strangely. Laertes and Hamlet both have murdered fathers and try to avenge their deaths. When angered, both seem to display impulsive reactions. As soon as Laertes hears about the death of his father he immediately assumes the killer is Claudius and announces, “I dare domination…let come what comes, only I’ll be revenged most throughly for my father” (4.5.149-154). Similarly, Hamlet assumes that Claudius is the one spying on his conversation with Gertrude. Consumed with rage, he buffets who he thinks is Claudius, but ends up killing Polonius. Both of their actions are fueled by fury and frustration, and they give little thought to what the consequences will be. Laertes cares for Ophelia, as does Hamlet. They both love her, but in a different way. Laertes’ feelings are as a concerned older brother and Hamlet is actually in love with her. A major difference between Laertes and Hamlet is that Laertes did not procrastinate in his attempt at getting revenge. Hamlet takes the entire play to get his revenge, while Laertes acts immediately.