Hamlet is a play written by William Shakespeare. It is often regarded as one of the best examples of tragedy in modern literature. It is a story about Hamlet, a prince, trying to avenge the murder of his father, the king. Hamlet pretends to be crazy and discovers the murderer is his uncle, Claudius. Hamlet lets his emotions get the best of him and that results in his death. Throughout the story, Hamlet’s emotions can range from heartbreaking grief to uncontrollable anger. Several characters in the story experience at least one emotion on this broad spectrum. These characters are known as foils because they share an attribute of the protagonist. Based on the actions and attributes of these characters, there is going to be a character that embodies
…show more content…
In the play, Hamlet kills Polonius by shear accident. Vengeance is one emotion shared by the two. Both men want to avenge their fathers’ deaths by killing the murderer. In Act 1, Scene 5, the Ghost of Hamlet’s father visits Hamlet. The Ghost tells Hamlet that he had been murdered. The Ghost says, “Revenge his foul and most unnatural murder” (57). Hamlet responds, “Haste me to know’t, that I, with wings as swift as meditation or the thoughts of love may sweep to my revenge” (57). Hamlet is begging the Ghost to tell him who it is so he can enact his vengeance faster than a person falls in love. In Act 4, Scene 7, Laertes is conversing with Claudius. In lines 27-31, Laertes says, “And so have I a noble father lost, a sister driven into desp’rate terms, whose worth, if praises may go back again, stood challenger on mount of all age for her perfections. But my revenge will come” (224-225). Laertes is saying Hamlet is the cause for the loss of his father and is driving his sister Ophelia mad. Also, when they are angry they become impulsive and cause problems for themselves. Also, “We do see that in anger both Laertes and Hamlet can be very rash and impulsive and bring problems upon themselves” (OHH). In an act of rage, Hamlet stabs his sword through the curtain and kills Polonius, which ultimately leads to his death. Upon hearing about his father’s death, Laertes angrily confronts Claudius and they end up hatching a plan that …show more content…
They both have love for Ophelia. Laertes, being her big brother, is her protector and loves her very much. In Act 1, Scene 3, Laertes is giving Ophelia advice about love. He tells her, “Do not believe his vows… but mere implorators of holy suits… the better to beguile” (47). Laertes is telling his sister to not believe everything Hamlet says. Laertes believes Hamlet lusts Ophelia and does not truly love her. Later at Ophelia’s funeral in Act 5, Scene 1, he jumps into her grave. He proclaims, “Hold off the earth awhile, till I have caught her once more in mine arms” (253). This means, at least for him, time will stop until he is holding her again. He demands the gravedigger to bury him as well, showing how much love he had for Ophelia. Just a few moments later Hamlet arrives at the funeral stating, “I loved Ophelia. Forty thousand brothers could not with all their quantity of love make up my sum” (255). However, Hamlet declares, “Be buried quick with her, and so will I” meaning he also wants to be buried with
In the play, Hamlet kills Polonius by shear accident. Vengeance is one emotion shared by the two. Both men want to avenge their fathers’ deaths by killing the murderer. In Act 1, Scene 5, the Ghost of Hamlet’s father visits Hamlet. The Ghost tells Hamlet that he had been murdered. The Ghost says, “Revenge his foul and most unnatural murder” (57). Hamlet responds, “Haste me to know’t, that I, with wings as swift as meditation or the thoughts of love may sweep to my revenge” (57). Hamlet is begging the Ghost to tell him who it is so he can enact his vengeance faster than a person falls in love. In Act 4, Scene 7, Laertes is conversing with Claudius. In lines 27-31, Laertes says, “And so have I a noble father lost, a sister driven into desp’rate terms, whose worth, if praises may go back again, stood challenger on mount of all age for her perfections. But my revenge will come” (224-225). Laertes is saying Hamlet is the cause for the loss of his father and is driving his sister Ophelia mad. Also, when they are angry they become impulsive and cause problems for themselves. Also, “We do see that in anger both Laertes and Hamlet can be very rash and impulsive and bring problems upon themselves” (OHH). In an act of rage, Hamlet stabs his sword through the curtain and kills Polonius, which ultimately leads to his death. Upon hearing about his father’s death, Laertes angrily confronts Claudius and they end up hatching a plan that …show more content…
They both have love for Ophelia. Laertes, being her big brother, is her protector and loves her very much. In Act 1, Scene 3, Laertes is giving Ophelia advice about love. He tells her, “Do not believe his vows… but mere implorators of holy suits… the better to beguile” (47). Laertes is telling his sister to not believe everything Hamlet says. Laertes believes Hamlet lusts Ophelia and does not truly love her. Later at Ophelia’s funeral in Act 5, Scene 1, he jumps into her grave. He proclaims, “Hold off the earth awhile, till I have caught her once more in mine arms” (253). This means, at least for him, time will stop until he is holding her again. He demands the gravedigger to bury him as well, showing how much love he had for Ophelia. Just a few moments later Hamlet arrives at the funeral stating, “I loved Ophelia. Forty thousand brothers could not with all their quantity of love make up my sum” (255). However, Hamlet declares, “Be buried quick with her, and so will I” meaning he also wants to be buried with