Foils In Hamlet

The obsession and need for revenge displayed by our two main characters eventually led them both to their downfall. Not only did it hurt themselves, but many others close to them. Ophelia’s death, for example could be blamed on Hamlet’s desire for revenge, whilst Hamlets death occurred as a result of Laertes quest to avenge his father’s death. Hopefully, it is easy to see why I believe that revenge is the core theme in Shakespeare’s Hamlet. Revenge shapes the entire plot of the play and could be blamed for corrupting Hamlet and Laertes, making them almost evil in their final intentions.

In a story the foil is a character who is superficially similar to the main character but differs by significant character traits. These similarities and differences are what accentuate main character. Hamlet, Fortinbras, and Laertes have a lot in common when it comes to the situations that they find themselves and how they initially intend to respond to those situations. Be that as it may, each of these “avenging” sons sees their situation in a different light and attempt to avenge their fathers in different fashions. The foils similarities and differences are used by William Shakespeare to highlight the potential paths Hamlet could have taken on his crusade for revenge.

Although Hamlet and Laertes are responsible for their actions in dealing with their grief, Claudius is the ultimate cause of the death throughout the castle. Because Claudius killed Hamlet’s father, he is responsible for all of Hamlet’s actions that are brought on by grief or a need for revenge. When Hamlet kills Polonius, it is because Claudius sent Polonius to spy on Gertrude and Hamlet. This in turn triggers Laertes’ grief, and all of Laertes' actions after that that are connected to the death of his father. All of the deaths in Hamlet can be accredited to Claudius.

The deaths that are directly caused by the sense of revenge is in order, Polonius, Ophellia, Guildenstern and Rosencrantz, Gertrude, Laertes, Claudius, and Hamlet himself. Revenge is the downfall of all of the characters in the play. While there are many themes to this play, revenge is the key to what makes this play a tragedy. The first death to make these scenes fall into place is the death of Hamlet’s father. In the opening scene we learn that the King, Hamlet’s father,

Throughout Shakespeare’s play, revenge intertwines to bring about the deaths of most of the main characters. Hamlet’s course of revenge initiates the first fatality when Polonius gets caught spying on him and Gertrude (III. iv. 24-25). By pursuing revenge, Hamlet killing Polonius paves the way for more lives to be lost.

While Laertes becomes Hamlet’s enemy when the protagonist inadvertently kills Laertes’ father thinking he was King Claudius, Hamlet’s subject of revenge, when he was eavesdropping on Hamlet. Another important character in this play is Fortinbras, who seeks revenge on behalf of his father’s honors, who equalizes the two contradictory characters of Horatio and Laertes. Through these three characters, who are different in nature, Shakespeare develops these three characteristics in order to highlights Hamlet’s weaknesses. As the only one that Hamlet trusts, Horatio provide a contrast to Hamlet while remaining true to himself. Hamlet trusts Horatio implicitly; he confides in Horatio and exalts him as “e’en as just a man / As e’er my conversation coped withal” (III.ii.50-1).

From Claudius’ jealousy came King Hamlet’s death, which leads Hamlet to deceit. Hamlet puts on a play and uses it to try to trick Claudius into showing guilt. Hamlet tells Horatio, “Give him a heedful note for I mine eyes will rivet to his face, and after we will both our judgments join in censure of his seeming (Hamlet, Price of Denmark, 3, ii, 86-89). Hamlet and Horatio watch the King closely to see if he appears guilty. Instead, King Claudius recognizes Hamlet’s deceit and further plots.

Shakespeare in the play Hamlet, is trying to make this a play on revenge between many characters and also show the insecurities of Hamlet as he tries to seek revenge. In the play several characters are compelled to restore family honor by exacting vengeance. Fortinbras tries to reclaim his father’s honor by reclaiming territory, Hamlet must get back at Claudius for killing his father, and Laertes must get back at Hamlet to avenge his father and sister. Each character is driven in the play to get revenge at someone. Hamlet is

His father’s death invokes revengeful thoughts of killing the King. Ophelia’s death skews Hamlet’s vision of death. The death of Polonius shows the repercussions of Hamlet’s aggressive impulse. Clearly, Hamlet is fascinated by death throughout the play. Although this is deeply rooted in his character, his obsessive thoughts are a product of continuous grieving.

Hamlet wants to avenge his father 's death, but in the heat of the moment, his rash actions lead to Polonius 's death. Laertes now switches places with Hamlet, desperately desiring to exact revenge on Hamlet. This reversal in their roles greatly adds to the themes of revenge and murder in the book. Another contrast between Hamlet and Laertes can be made in that Hamlet seems to have a good conscience, reminding him that murder is wrong. He is guided by his inner feelings,