Trouble Makers for Hamlet

Shakespeare includes a handful of characters in the play “Hamlet” that are in many ways trouble makers for the character of Hamlet. These include Horatio, Fortinbras, Claudius, and Laertes. However, not all of these characters are antagonists. While some may be obvious enemies of Hamlet, others often help and advise him in his struggles. Horatio is a good friend of Hamlet, and helps him with his plans of revenge. Fortinbras and Hamlet have much in common in terms of position. Hamlet and Fortinbras are both prince, and both of their fathers have recently died. Claudius has just taken over for Hamlet’s father as king after recently killing him. Laertes’ father, Claudius’ right hand man also dies in the play. Horatio is in many ways, Hamlet’s right hand man. Hamlet reveals his plans to take revenge on Claudius to him, and Horatio decides to conspire with him. However, throughout the play Hamlet looks down on Horatio as inferior. In Act act three scene two Hamlet says to Horatio “Nay, do not think I flatter. For what advancement may I hope from thee, that no revenue hast but thy good spirits, to feed and clothe thee? Why should the poor be flattered?”. Hamlet points out the fact that Horatio has nothing to his name. Yet Hamlet knows that Horatio looks to him as his superior and he uses that to his advantage. So he keeps Horatio with him because he knows that he could not face his struggles without his help and advice. Horatio on the other hand seems to have strong feelings for Hamlet. In act one scene four Hamlet is gestured by the ghost to follow him. Horatio was worried about Hamlet and objects to Hamlet following it. He then follows Hamlet with Marcellus to ensure that he is okay. Fortinbras, is described to be in a very similar situation to Hamlet in the beginning of the play. He is a young prince whose father has just been killed. Though Fartinbras is far different than Hamlet in terms of personality. Hamlet is very slow in his actions. He over thinks his actions and wastes a considerable amount of time planning. However, Fortinbras is the opposite. He often acts quickly and on emotion, rather than thinking his actions through. In act four scene four, Hamlet learns that Fortinbras is invading Poland over a small piece of land that according to Hamlet is not large enough to bury the soldiers in. Hamlet reflects on the differences between them. He learns from Fortinbras that “Rightly to be great is not to stir without great argument, but greatly to find quarrel in a straw when honor’s at the stake”. Hamlet decides that to be truly great is not to fight over a good cause, but to fight over anything, when one’s honor is threatened. However, Fortinbras is nothing like Hamlet portrays him. Fortinbras is a coward who does not choose to avenge his father’s death until old King Hamlet is dead. Hamlet however, is no coward. He clearly planned to kill Claudius throughout the play, he was only waiting for the right time and way. Claudius is the main antagonist throughout the play. He killed Hamlets father before the beginning of the play. Hamlet had been plotting his death ever since he learned of Claudius’ deed. Unlike Hamlet, Claudius is far from indecisive. He acts as soon as he makes a decision. However, Hamlet spends most of the play arguing with himself over what he should do. Hamlet could not even decide to live or not. It is no trouble though, for Claudius to decide to kill his own brother and steal his kingdom and his wife. Also, Claudius is evil. He is a ruthless ruler, which connects to his lack of thought before action. Hamlet, is the opposite. He could not even condemn the man who murdered his father and “defiled” his mother. However, it is a good thing for Denmark that Claudius took the throne rather than Hamlet. A king must be able to act quickly and in the right way. While Claudius may not always make the right decision, he unlike Hamlet would at least make a decision. Laertes’ father, like Hamlet’s is killed. However, Laertes reacts very differently to the situation than Hamlet. When the slightest impression that Claudius could have killed his father, Laertes immediately forms a mob and goes after Claudius. However, Hamlet mopes around for weeks mourning the death of his father before even thinking to investigate the cause. Also, unlike Hamlet Laertes throws away what was left of his honor by cheating and lying to seek his revenge. Hamlet tries to avoid this mistake by taking as much time as he does to act on his thoughts. It seems as if Shakespeare places specific characters in his play “Hamlet” to have very similar experiences to Hamlet, yet make them completely opposite in terms of who they are. Perhaps this was done on purpose in order to emphasis the way Hamlet acts and reacts, and the personality behind the story.