Theme in Hamlet Essay Example for Free

Theme in crossroads EssayB.) with strident contrast, a character flummox enhances certain attributes of a central character. Analyze how unessential characters operate as foils and are employed to groom theme in settle ment. In Shakespeares play settlement, it is proven that secondary characters do develop the understanding of the main character as foils. Foils help the reader make comparisons in the midst of the major and minor characters through and through par eachels. During the play we see some of hamlets strengths and weaknesses through characters like Laertes and Fortinbras. Other minor characters include Ophelia, Polonius, and Gertrude who contributes to Hamlets so called madness, which helps develop the theme of a heros fatal flaw of overthinking leading to tragedy.In this essay I will explain the similarities, differences and relationships mingled with each foil and how their behaviors affect Hamlet personally. Through pop out the play Hamlet displays a di fficulty in qualification final decisions due to his overthinking unlike Laertes and Fortinbras who tends to make rash decisions establish upon feelings. Firstly, Hamlets inability to kill Claudius is foiled by Fortinbras willingness to avenge his brings lost kingdom over a small eon of land. Secondly, Hamlet and Laertes have different types relationships with their fathers, Hamlet despises Claudius where as Laertes loved Polonius.These relationships cause both Laertes and Hamlet wanting to avenge the murders of their fathers but for different reasons. While Laertes is unconquerable to instantly retaliate, Hamlet on the different hand prolongs his revenge due to his natural flaw of overanalyzing. Thirdly, both Laertes and Hamlet have similar obsessions towards their women and the preservation of sanctity. Hamlet is confused and enraged about his mothers incestuous marriage to his uncle and Laertes is anxious about his sisters relationship with Hamlet. The parallels between the secondary foils help the audiences gain a better understanding of Hamlets fatal flaw of over-proces depravityg throughout the play.In Shakespeares play Hamlet, Fortinbras the prince of Norway and Hamlet the prince of Denmark share many similarities and differences thus making Fortinbras an important secondary character and a foil to Hamlet. Fortinbras father was slain by Hamlets father and Hamlets father, Hamlet Sr was poisoned his brother Claudius who is now the king of Denmark. Fortinbras wishes to attack Denmark to avenge his fathers honor and Hamlet wishes to someday kill Claudius as revenge for his father. This is thimpostume of much wealth and peace, that inward breaks and shows no cause without why the man dies (A.4.s4, 26-28).Hamlet remarks on Fortinbras invasion and views it as unnecessary but Fortinbras tells the police captain to lie to the king assuring him that his only intentions were to travel through Denmark to get to Poland. This is the first epoch Fortinbras is shown as a real and imminent threat to the asseverate of Denmark. Why yet I live to say this things to do, Sith I have cause and will and strength and means to dot. (A.4.s4, 43-44). Hamlet contemplates his purpose of living and questions why he keepnot go through with murdering Claudius. He is coming to a realization that his plan is taking a long time to execute and e really single advantage is on his side except the act itself.Witness this army of such mass and charge led by a delicate and tender prince, whose spirit divine ambition puffed makes mouths at the invisible event, exposing what is moral and unsure to all that fortune, death, and danger dare, even for an eggshell (A.4.s4, 46-52). Hamlet shows admiration for the princes ambition to fight for no good reason but is aware of the severity of war. In this scene we see Hamlet succumbing to his over analytic thought process while Fortinbras is provision to defeat the king with little judgment.Fortinbras ability to act foils Hamlets inability to act, while Fortinbras is attacking without regard towards himself, his men or his country Hamlet complies with reason to not attack. This reveals Fortinbras hunger for not only revenge but also motive like Hamlet both are only crowned as only princes and not kings subsequently the death of their fathers.Hamlet and Fortinbras share related backgrounds of macrocosm raised among the wealthy, both princes had the opportunity of being king and both are seeking revenge for their slain fathers. Although sharing many similarities appearances do not geminate reality and signifies the contradiction of great minds think alike. Ultimately, Hamlets overthinking leads to his downfall and Fortinbras successfully conquers Denmark and becomes king.Laertes is another important secondary foil to Hamlet also sharing many similarities and differences that highlights Hamlets weaknesses. Laertes and Hamlet share the similarity of quick irrational passion. Hamlet stabs Polon ius during the heat of an argument and Laertes threatens to kill the king without remorse after the death of Polonius. Hamlets father, Hamlet Sr. was secretly poisoned by king Claudius, which was revealed to Hamlet by the ghost of his father. Since, Hamlet has become obsessed with the subject of avenging his fathers death but delays because of his natural flaw of overthinking.Hamlet hesitates to kill Claudius during his confession because he believed that he would spare him of his crime, he wants to catch Claudius during sin because he would be eternally damned. He wants Claudius to suffer the consequences and decides to wait meanwhile Claudius wants to eliminate Hamlet because of his madness but does not want appear trusty for doing so. Of impious stubbornness. Tis unmanly grief. It shows a will most incorrect to heaven, a heart unfortified, a mind impatient, an understanding simple and unschooled (A.1.s2, 94-97). Claudius scolds Hamlet on his incapability to forget about his fat her, he views it as unmanly and immature.He also considers Hamlets mourning useless and long overdue, if the state of Denmark can get over it so can Hamlet. Neither a borrower nor lender be, for loan oft loses both itself and a friend, and borrowing dulls the edge of husbandry. This above all to thine own self be true, and it must follow, as the night they day, though canst not be false to any man. Farewell. My blessing season this in thee (A1.s3, 75-81). to begin with parting ways Polonius offers Laertes a few words of wisdom about friendships, self control, appearance and judgment. Overall he advises his son to remain true to himself as you can see Polonius shows a strong love and bond for his son.After embarking on his trip to Paris Polonius sends Reynaldo to rat on Laertes although his intentions are good, he wants to get wind that Laertes remains studying and not misbehaving. Something have you heard of Hamlets transformation- so call it, since nor th exterior nor inward man resembles what it was. What it should be, more than his fathers death, that hath put him so much from thunderstanding of himself, I cannot dream of (A.2.s2, 5-10). Claudius discusses his stepsons madness with Rosencrantz and Guildenstern who are longtime friends of Hamlet, during the discussion he asks them to spy on Hamlet and keep a constant eye on his unpredictable behavior.Claudius and Hamlets relationship also depicts an absence of trust between the two. To understand the relationships between the two fathers and sons we must juxtapose the character traits of each individual. Claudius is conniving and scheming his motive of achieving absolute power is made clear throughout the play. He manipulates the state of Denmark to believing that his disorder of murder and incest within the country is acceptable. Claudius wants everyone to believe that he worries for Hamlet but truly thinks of Hamlet as a threat, so much so he strategizes a plan to do away with him for good. Polonius unl ike Claudius has good intentions overall but often wounds up making false conclusions throughout the play.As the kings trusted Lord of Chamberlain Polonius cares a great deal about his record and like the king views Hamlet as a threat. Throughout the play Polonius helps the king spy on Hamlet and advises his daughter Ophelia to stay away from his madness. Polonius genuinely adores his children and is often showing that through words of wisdom. Laertes models many of Poloniuss traits except the fact that he quick hard-boiled. After hearing about the death his father Laertes immediately assumes Claudius as the murderer.Laertes makes it very clear to Claudius that he cares less about his reputation and is willing to do anything as long as it means revenge. Hamlet is also quick tempered although he overthinks many little details, he wasnt thinking at all when he accidentally killed Polonius. During an argument with Gertrude he sensed someone loafer the curtain and instantly assumed i t was Claudius. Hamlet wants to kill his uncle during sin, throughout the play we see Hamlet trying to prove his uncles guilt before planning any type of retaliation.Both families resemble many distinguishable traits that resulted to their tragic downfalls such as lying, spying and over processing. Both relationships foil each other in a sense because both are different and highlights not only Hamlets weakness but Laertes weakness as well. In the end Laertes forgave Hamlet for the death of his father but was killed by Hamlet during fencing duel and Hamlet poisoned Claudius. Hamlet was wounded and killed by Laertes sword that was antecedently poisoned.Another example of Laertes being a significant secondary foil to Hamlet is shown through the different obsessions with women. Hamlets reacts violently towards Gertrude and Ophelia sexuality as opposed to Laertes who takes a calmer approach. Gertrude is Hamlets mother and the widow to Hamlet Sr. after the death of her husband she marries Hamlets uncle Claudius. Ophelia is the daughter of Polonius and Laertes junior sister she is also Hamletsold lover. Hamlet makes it no secret that he is disgusted with his mothers marriage to his uncle Claudius. He is angry with his mother Gertrude for accommodate her love for his father and settling for Claudius. Laertes on the other hand is very protective over his sisters abstinence, like most Elizabethan men he highly values purity and is disgusted with anything less.She married- O, most wicked speed, to post with such dexterity to incestuous sheets (A.1.s2.156-157). Hamlet believes that his mothers marriage is incestuous and believes that his mother did not take time to fully mourn the death of the previous king. The thought of Gertrudes sexual relationship with Claudius consumes Hamlet, comparing it to an neglected garden he says,tis an unweeded garden that grows to seed.Things rank and gross in nature merely possesses it (A.1.s2.135-137) Gertrudes sexual relationship leave s Hamlet with a sense of a contaminated world, his disgust is so great that he eventually feels this way towards all women including Ophelia. Get thee to a nunnery Why wouldst thou be a breeder of sinners? I am myself indifferent honest, but yet I could accuse me of such things that it were better mother had not borne me. I am very proud, revengeful, aspirant with more offences at my beck than thoughts I put them in, imagination to give them shape, or time to act them in (A.3.s1.121-127).Hamlet believes that women are the roots of evil he accuses Ophelia of being promiscuous and insists she is dishonest. Ophelia is distancing herself from Hamlet because her father advises her that he is mad and to not associate herself with him for the sake of a good reputation. Laertes also agrees with Polonius on this matter of a good reputation as he is trying hard to preserve Ophelias purity. Fear it, my dear sister and keep you in the rear of your affection, out of the shot and danger of desir e.The chariest maid is prodigal enough, if she unmask her beauty to the moon. Virtue itself scapes not calumnious strokes. The canker galls the infants to the spring, too oft before their buttons be disclosed. And in the morn and liquid dew of youth(A.1.s3.33-42). In this quote Laertes reinforces his fathers advice to Ophelia to not let her love for Hamlet become a target of lust. He also advises her to guard her good reputation because even worms ruin flowers before they blossom. Laertes does not want Hamlet to interfere with his sisters good reputation and does not want his false pretenses to interfere with her morals.In the Elizabethan times a deflowered woman was considered to be damaged goods that no man would marry, Laertes fears Hamlet taking advantage of his little sister and he wants to keep her chaste until marriage. Both Hamlet and Laertes struggle to come to terms with their loved ones sexuality but they go about it differently. Hamlet is more aggressive towards Gertrude after murdering Polonius as opposed to Laertes who takes a more understanding approach and offers his advice. This brings out Hamlets trait of being more forward and harshly enthusiastic towards his mothers relationship, which is caused by his flaw of overthinking.In conclusion in Shakespeares play Hamlet, secondary foils highlight Hamlets flaw of overthinking. Foils help the reader compare and contrast major characters from secondary characters. We see Hamlet strengths and weaknesses through characters like Fortinbras and Laertes other secondary characters include Polonius, Ophelia and Gertrude. Firstly, Hamlets inability to act upon revenge is foiled by Fortinbras ability to conquer.Secondly, Hamlets and Laertes have different relationships with their fathers. Through these relationships we see Hamlets struggle of revenge foiled by Laertes rash decision-making. Thirdly, Laertes and Hamlet share a similar obsession towards women but for different reasons. Hamlet is a complex indiv idual who lets his fatal flaw lead to his tragedy.