Hamlet’s Foils
A foil is a literary device, defined as someone or something that serves as a contrast to another. The play Hamlet is a brilliant example of how foils can be used to reveal the true nature of different characters throughout the play by comparison and contrast. It is very noticeable that there are many obvious character foils in the play that help the audience and readers show the reasons for Hamlet’s decision making, revealing his traits and also are used as parallels to Hamlet. The important male character foils are Laertes, Horatio, and Fortinbras, while Ophelia is the main female character foil for Hamlet. All of these characters are used to contradict and enhance Hamlet’s major qualities either positive or negative.
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Whether it was based on commands or emotions, Hamlet continuously failed to push through on certain actions. Unlike Hamlet, Laertes is the son of a highly respected royal counselor in the court, because of this they do not share similar roles in terms of what is expected from each of them in court. Laertes behavior was the complete opposite when he was faced with similar challenges that required immediate action. This contrast was very obvious throughout the play and it intensified as both Laertes and Hamlet faced the exact same situations. The fathers of these two men were both murdered, however the course of action taken by Hamlet and Laertes were completely different. Hamlet for various reasons waited a couple of months in seeking revenge for his own father, making it more difficult for him to strike even though he had many chances. Hamlet’s delay could be blamed on his mental state, emotions and religious or spiritual beliefs. Laertes on the other hand is not ruled by reason, his presentation may seem emotional at first but he is in fact rational behind his actions. Once Laertes finds out about his father’s death, he instantly returned to Denmark, storming in the castle looking for Claudius to seek immediate revenge, there was no hesitation in his actions even though he was not certain of who really committed the act. Maria Mendes, author of “ Hamlet’s Ordeals”, discusses the justice and contradictions in the final duel in act V. Towards the end of the play, it is evident that Laertes and Hamlet both seek revenge for the murder of their father. Both of these characters have their honor at stake, while Laertes confronts these problems he has directly, Hamlet continuously reveals his trait of indecisiveness. Mendes uses the quote, “Give me your pardon sir. I have done you wrong…”to reinforce the idea of Hamlet always looking for ways to distract the characters and audience from his
A foil is a literary device, defined as someone or something that serves as a contrast to another. The play Hamlet is a brilliant example of how foils can be used to reveal the true nature of different characters throughout the play by comparison and contrast. It is very noticeable that there are many obvious character foils in the play that help the audience and readers show the reasons for Hamlet’s decision making, revealing his traits and also are used as parallels to Hamlet. The important male character foils are Laertes, Horatio, and Fortinbras, while Ophelia is the main female character foil for Hamlet. All of these characters are used to contradict and enhance Hamlet’s major qualities either positive or negative.
Out …show more content…
Whether it was based on commands or emotions, Hamlet continuously failed to push through on certain actions. Unlike Hamlet, Laertes is the son of a highly respected royal counselor in the court, because of this they do not share similar roles in terms of what is expected from each of them in court. Laertes behavior was the complete opposite when he was faced with similar challenges that required immediate action. This contrast was very obvious throughout the play and it intensified as both Laertes and Hamlet faced the exact same situations. The fathers of these two men were both murdered, however the course of action taken by Hamlet and Laertes were completely different. Hamlet for various reasons waited a couple of months in seeking revenge for his own father, making it more difficult for him to strike even though he had many chances. Hamlet’s delay could be blamed on his mental state, emotions and religious or spiritual beliefs. Laertes on the other hand is not ruled by reason, his presentation may seem emotional at first but he is in fact rational behind his actions. Once Laertes finds out about his father’s death, he instantly returned to Denmark, storming in the castle looking for Claudius to seek immediate revenge, there was no hesitation in his actions even though he was not certain of who really committed the act. Maria Mendes, author of “ Hamlet’s Ordeals”, discusses the justice and contradictions in the final duel in act V. Towards the end of the play, it is evident that Laertes and Hamlet both seek revenge for the murder of their father. Both of these characters have their honor at stake, while Laertes confronts these problems he has directly, Hamlet continuously reveals his trait of indecisiveness. Mendes uses the quote, “Give me your pardon sir. I have done you wrong…”to reinforce the idea of Hamlet always looking for ways to distract the characters and audience from his