Willam Shakespears Hamlet
The Importance of Laertes and Fortinbras in Hamlet William Shakespeare’s Hamlet is a story of revenge and the way the characters in the play respond to grief and the demands of loyalty. ... Fortinbras and Laertes are parallel characters to Hamlet, and they provide pivotal points on which to compare and contrast the actions and emotions of Hamlet throughout the play. They are also important in Hamlet as they are imperative to the plot of the play and the final resolution. Hamlet, Laertes, and Fortinbras are three young men who are placed in similar circumstances, that is, to avenge their fathers deaths. ... Laertes is a mirror to Hamlet. ... Both Hamlet and Laertes love Ophelia. Hamlet wishes Ophelia to be his wife, Laertes loves Ophelia as a sister. Hamlet is a scholar at Wittenberg, and Laertes at France. ... On the other hand, Hamlet is very private and solemn with his grief. His mourning for King Hamlet is long and drawn out, two months after his fathers death, he is still observed to be wearing . ... Although dismayed at his mothers quick remarriage to his uncle, Hamlet suspects foul play in his fathers murder but has no prove until the ghost discloses this information to him. ... Claudius manipulates Laertes into becoming an ally to kill Hamlet. ... Contrasting to Laertes quick response, Hamlet procrastinates. Although Hamlet wants to regain honor by avenging his fathers death, Hamlet is dubious of his ability to complete what he promised to the ghost. ... Hamlet agonizes over what he is to do, and how he is to avenge the murder of his father. Whilst Laertes acts on impulse, and on a tryst with Claudius arising from the emotions of anger and revenge, Hamlet mulls over how he is going to act and defers action until his own procrastination disgusts him into acting.