The Foils in Shakespeares Hamlet :: GCSE English Literature Coursework

Foils in critical point          A foil is a minor charater in a literary work that compliments the main character through and through similarities and differences in personality and plot. Among all the foils in Shakespeares Hamlet, Titles Laertes has the biggest impact on Hamlets character. While Hamlet maintained his status as prince, it was Laertes that represented the well bred son of the olympian family and the traditional revenge hero. The thesis does not cover the essay.        Some similarities in Laertes and Hamlet were that they were both students. Laertes and Hamlet were dutiful sons that who were outraged and felt personally wronged by their bugger offs deaths. They swore to get revenge against the assailant. Laertes and Hamlet both blamed Claudius for the deaths of their fathers. no Also, Hamlet and Laertes posed a threat to Claudius because of their potential for becoming king. They go above the law in order to seek justice, which discredits the honorable basis of their actions. There was a shared love for Laertess sister, Ophelia. Hamlet and Laertes have seen the ghost of Hamlets father. ?         One of the differences in Laertes and Hamlet was that Laertes allowed his temper and grievance of his fathers death to be known. Whereas when Hamlets father died, he secretatively sic ran ? and was deemed crazy. Laertes goes to school and indulged in a Parisian lifestyle, as Hamlet chose to study at Wittenburg in a more subdued environment. Interesting point Laertes has a lot of passion whereas Hamlet has none. Laertes was only raised by his father as Hamlet had a mother and father to raise him. Also, Laertes was portrayed as the well bred son of the counselor of a royal family and Hamlet portrayed ? the role of a commoner. The ghost of Hamlets father would burble to Laertes as he would to Hamlet. Not true       Being an ambitious young prince was a s imilarity in Fortinbras and Hamlet. They are both on a mission of revenge. Also, both Fortinbras and Hamlet lost their fathers. no Ironically Denmark is a similarity because it was initially controlled by Fortinbras father, then Hamlet H-50s father, then Hamlet, and finally returning to Fortinbras. Nice point Fortinbras had a family tie with Hamlets love Ophelia. This needs a citation from the play -- I dont remember it.