Hamlet, by William Shakespeare

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Frequently, tragic heroes and other characters are thought of as being analogues due to their mutual goal and parallels. However, one must question the negligible differences in the characters’ traits that differentiate them as a whole. William Shakespeare employs characters like these in many of his plays, in order to contrast characters with the protagonist. In turn, this enables a greater insight into the main character. As the play Hamlet progresses, Hamlet the protagonist, encounters his foils Laertes and Fortinbras, whom share his goal of revenge. Though all three seek revenge, each defines it by their own distinctions, which are crucial to their individual goals, and discerns their measure of success. As the plot progresses, the need for holistic personas becomes ever more apparent, for the overall success of goals.
Foremost, these three exhibit various attributes that distinguishes them from their mutual goal. The imperative difference that differentiates the three from their goal to success is being holistic and one-sided. Firstly, Hamlet is the one-sided prince who seeks to avenge his father after hearing the circumstances surrounding his death. Initially, Hamlet Sr. was said to have been killed by being bitten by a snake but in truth his ghost reveals to young Hamlet a murder most unnatural, the king’s very own brother Claudius murdered him during his nap. Shortly after his discovery, young Hamlet takes up the burden of avenging his father but continuously delays due to his tragic flaw, procrastination. He eventually criticizes himself by referring to himself as “an ass I! This is most brave/ That I, the son of a dear, father murder’d/ Prompted to my revenge by heaven and hell/ Must like a whore unpack my heart with...

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...res all of Denmark, which surpasses his father’s lost lands, which means he avenged his father. By being a holistic character, he is the only character who claims his revenge without losing anyone or anything. Overall, they are all successful, but Hamlet and Laertes being one-sided characters led themselves to their demise, whereas Fortinbras being well-rounded, leaves unscarred.
To conclude, Hamlet, Laertes and Fortinbras share a common goal, yet differ in traits. Hamlet and Laertes were one sided characters who died, whereas Fortinbras was a balanced person which led to his survival. Despite the similar goal they had different fates prescribed to them based on their individual merits. This illustrates the fact that the same fate is not cast for those who follow the footsteps of another, and that it is the merits of an individual that serves as a saving grace.

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