Major Differences Between Hamlet And Fortinbras

In Hamlet, William Shakespeare portrays the contrast between two distinctive and important characters, Fortinbras and Hamlet. Although Fortinbras is hardly seen throughout the play, his position in the royal family made his presence noticeable and crucial to its central themes. In addition, Fortinbras’s father's murder shows a parallel between him and Hamlet, since his father is also murdered. However, the major difference between them is their responses and actions in avenging their fathers’ death. In Hamlet, Shakespeare uses Hamlet and Fortinbras as foils to illustrate that people who take actions are more successful than those who don’t.

Throughout the play, Hamlet thinks the different potential ways to avenge his father’s death, whereas

Conversely, Fortinbras is very rash and bold; in order for him to avenge his father’s honor, he puts other people at risk to gain the pride and glory of the kingdom. During the play, Hamlet has many chances to kill Claudius. However, when a chance comes, he overthinks and hesitates in his action. For example, in Act III Scene iii, while Claudius has his eyes closed and is praying in church, Hamlet is given an opportunity to kill him, but, when Hamlet is about to kill him, he suddenly thinks, “A villain kills my father, and for that, / I, his sole son, do this same villain send / to heaven. / Why, this is (hire) and (salary,) not revenge” (81-84). He thinks that killing Claudius, who is praying and asking for the forgiveness of his sins, will send him to heaven, and for this reason, Hamlet does not kill him. On the contrary, Fortinbras risks many people’s lives in order to maintain his father’s honor and pride. When Hamlet compares himself to Fortinbras, he says, “Witness this army of such mass and charge / Led by a delicate and tender prince / Whose spirit with divine ambition [is] puff'd” (IV. iv. 51-52). This clearly reveals that Fortinbras is leading an army and risking his and other people’s lives in order to obtain more power. In consequence, Fortinbras is far more successful because he is taking action to further expand the power of his kingdom.

Consequently, Fortinbras eventually conquers Denmark and becomes the ruler, fulfilling his father’s final wish. Hamlet’s anger and hatred create internal conflicts with each of his family members, leading to their demise. In Act IV Scene ii, before killing Claudius, Hamlet rages “Here, thou incestuous, murderous, damnèd Dane, / Drink off this potion. Is thy union here? / Follow my mother”(356-357). This shows Hamlet’s bitterness towards Claudius for seducing and poisoning his mother. In order to destroy Claudius, Hamlet’s actions lead to the death of all his family members. However, for Fortinbras, when the whole royal family dies, he says, “For me, with sorrow I embrace my fortune. / I have some rights of memory in this kingdom/ which now to claim my vantage doth invite me.”(V. ii. 431- 433). As a result, even though Hamlet avenges his father, he lost everything, while Fortinbras conquers this whole entire kingdom, finally avenging his father’s