Foils in Hamlet

Night and Day Many authors use foils to better illustrate the nature of the character. Foils are characters who compliment yet contrast the main character. With the use of foils the reader can get a better understanding of the main character through the dialogue of the foils. In Shakespeare's Hamlet, we find Prince Hamlet foiled by many characters. Each foil revealing something different about Hamlet. One such foil in this play is undoubtedly Laertes, the son of Polonius. There are a few ways that Laertes mirrors Hamlets character, the revenge they both seek , the anger they both have, and they both mourn Ophelia's death. Just as a foil can mirror a character, it can contrast it. Laertes seeks instant almost thoughtless revenge whereas Hamlet is a bit more cautious and needs further evidence. Both Hamlet and Laertes have a different relationship with Claudius, one is deceived by him and the other sees right through his deception. Both return to Denmark after the passing of King Hamlet, which is the first indication that Laertes will act as a major foil to Hamlet. The tie they share with Claudius is a perfect example of the contrasting ways of Hamlet and Laertes. Claudius is in one way or another responsible for every death in this play. With the death of King Hamlet and the accidental murder of Polonius, we find both Hamlet and Laertes seeking revenge. Hamlet is told by the Ghost that Claudius is responsible for King Hamlets death. Almost as if it were his noble duty, he plots to avenge his fathers death by murdering Claudius. Once word gets to Laertes that Hamlet killed Polonius, he also wants to avenge his Fathers death. Here is where the similarity ends, both want to accomplish the same goal but the way they approach and react after their fathers death are very antithetical to each other. The actions taken by both men concerning the avenging of their fathers death are opposite to one another. Hamlet is the more cautious of the two and sits back and waits for further evidence before springing to action. Hamlet strategically plots his revenge, waiting for the opportune moment and until he is convinced his uncle is to blame for his fathers death. In contrast, Laertes seeks immediate revenge of his fathers death and he is used like a pawn by the conniving Claudius to kill Hamlet. Laertes acts on impulse and is driven by anger, which ultimately leads to both his and Hamlets demise. Expanding more on the role of Claudius, we can take a look at the way each of them perceive Claudius and his deceitful nature. From the start, Hamlet is on to his trickery by warning of the ghost. Hamlets own mother married his fathers murderer, this course of action brings further skepticism to Hamlet and helps Hamlet see right through Claudius mischievous ways. Whereas Laertes is conned by Claudius. Claudius capitalizes on Laertes wrath and primal instinct for revenge and uses it to plot Hamlets death. Leaving Claudius in the clear meanwhile giving Laertes no way out, unbeknownst to Laertes, he will not live to see past the death of Hamlet. Both men love Ophelia and both mourn her death. Both share a uniquely different love for Ophelia however. It appears at least at one point, Hamlets love was much deeper than a mere friendly love, as revealed through the letter. As Ophelia's brother, Laertes gives her advice and warns her of Hamlets true intentions and false love, he attempts to protect her and rightly so, he is very concerned for her well being. Ophelia's rejection of Hamlets love and tender causes immense sadness for Hamlet. Her death brought suffering to each of them. Both men clearly disliked one another but were both bound by their profound love of Ophelia. Laertes and Hamlet both ridden with grief and anguish over her death take it to the extreme of fighting one another during her very own funeral. As shown through Shakespeare's Hamlet, we can see how through the use of foils, a characters true form can take place with the additional help of minor characters that compliment and contrast with the main character. This play presents us with many foils to the main character, Prince Hamlet, and Laertes perfectly illustrates how both characters can both have similarities and yet have contrasting qualities. The relationship between Hamlet and Laertes proves to be a very impacting one on the play, out from their relationship comes murder, personal anguish, and their own deaths and the comparisons of the two characters highlight just how effective a foil in a play can be.