Responsibility, honor, pride, morality. When one thinks of duty, all these words come to mind. Never would anyone consider duty to be the cause of death, destruction, dishonesty, and cruelty. Although striving to fulfill one’s duty is seen as a noble and honorable, the gothic novel, “The Castle of Otranto” has shown that striving to fulfill one’s duty can be everything but honorable from what Manfred, Hippolita, Matilda, Isabella, and Jerome did in order to accomplish their duties. As a result, the stress that each character went through, in addition to the nature of each character’s role influenced the way the characters treat people close to them and the way their fates are determined at the end of the novel.
Manfred displays how selfish,
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self-centered, self-absorbed, and deceitful through the excuse of his “duty” to “save his race”. In the beginning of the novel, it did seem that Manfred was striving to assure that his household had an heir since he was eager to have the wedding as soon as possible despite Conrad’s frail condition. Granting all this, after the death of Conrad instead of mourning he calls Isabella into his chambers and immediately tries to convince her into being his wife and defiles the memory of his son and reasons that, “Heaven has perhaps taken him away so that I may not trust the honors of my house on so frail a foundation, the line of Manfred calls for numerous supports” (Walpole, 16). He uses duty to try and cover up his lustful urges towards Isabella and the position of power in providing the next heir. Manfred seeks to provide a better heir than Hippolita was able to provide him. While on the mission to recover Isabella after she escapes, Manfred abuses other character’s sense of duty in order to get what he wants. For instance, when Isabella takes refuge in the church, he uses Hippolita’s devotion and piousness towards the church and her servility towards him to try to get her to go along with the divorce. Additionally, when Manfred finds out that Theodore is Jerome’s son, it puts more pressure on Jerome to convince Isabella to agree to marry him even though it goes against his moral beliefs. Furthermore, after the knights arrive along with Isabella’s father, his lust causes them to trade daughters for marriage and his lusts end up killing Matilda and his reign. As a cause of his so called duty; he lost his son, his daughter and his throne. Alongside Manfred, Hippolita assumes the duty of the devoted wife. She puts aside her feelings and is always conscientious of how her husband is feeling and does everything she can in order to make sure he is happy. Even though her intentions are true, the extent to which she goes to serve her husband causes her to put hers and others feelings aside and even goes to say’ “He is dearer to me even than my children” (Walpole, 15).In addition, when Manfred is upset about Conrad’s death she wants to be by his side and even though he sends for Isabella and not her, she “smothers” her own pain and sorrow so that she does not “add on to his”. Hippolita continues to try and serve her husband despite him wanting to divorce her, him deriding her and even lying that their marriage might not be legitimate. Towards the end of the novel, in order to faccomplish her role as the dutiful wife she ignores Matilda’s and Isabella’s protests to being married off to Manfred and Frederic. Manfred’s pursuit of Isabella is the stress that Hippolita goes through that causes her to lose the maternal instinct to protect her children is not there. In this instance, Hippolita indeed does everything she can in order to please her husband but at the cost of her daughter’s feelings and lives. Matilda’s duty to her father and her mother are that of a respectful, obedient, devoted and gentle child.
Throughout the novel, she is repeatedly called “obedient” or “dutiful”, and no matter what she is feeling she always puts her duty before herself. For example, at the beginning of the play after Conrad is found dead she, “smothered her own grief and amazement and thought of nothing but assisting and comforting her” (mother) (Warpole, 7). Ironically, the reason for Matilda’s death was because of the times when she broke away from her duty like when she freed Theodore from his prison and went to meet Theodore in the darkness even though she was warned not to as opposed to Isabella who’s fate did not end badly because she did not let duty control …show more content…
her. Out of all the characters, Isabella shows the least amount of duty. She was not led strongly by it and therefore did not suffer like the rest of the characters did. To illustrate, after Conrad died, it was revealed that Isabella did not care for his death yet if he had stayed alive she would have been a dutiful wife nevertheless. Moreover, when Manfred called her into his chambers and proposed that she be wed to him, if she had a stronger sense of duty like Matilda had, she would have accepted no matter her feelings but instead she ran away. On top of that, when she fled to the church to plead sanctuary, she could have gone with Manfred when he went for her or even when her father showed up and Hippolita was telling the girls that they should wed each others’ fathers, she could have stayed quiet and respected what her parents told her, yet she did not. It is that lack of duty that saved her from a the horrible fate of being married to Manfred or even possibly death. The novel “The Castle of Otranto” and the tragedy “Hamlet” by William Shakespeare both have many similarities in the way that both texts contain characters whose lives were controlled by the sense of duty they had, the supernatural presences present and the type of foil characters.
The characters Hamlet and Laertes both assume duties of vengeance for their parents’ deaths. Hamlet was told by his father’s ghost that Claudius killed him and Laertes’ father was killed by Hamlet. By the end of the play, Hamlet does not get to act out his vengeance and is killed by Laertes acting out his own vengeance. In a way, both Hamlet and Laertes and Matilda and Isabelle are like mirroring foil characters in their own stories. Hamlet has aggressive, erratic, passionate characteristics while Laertes is cautious, paranoid and hesitant. These character traits had a significant influence on their circumstances at the end of the play. Because Hamlet was so erratic with his behavior, it is similar to letting his duty lead him which in turn led him to his death. On the other hand Laertes did not let it force his hand and he ended up acting out his vengeance against Hamlet. The situation between Matilda and Isabella is similar in the way that is more complicated. Matilda ended up suffering the fate of death after not letting her duty lead her for a moment and Isabella had a better future due to the fact that she did not let her obligations rule her life. In both pieces of literature, there are
supernatural entities that present themselves to the characters and that depict some sort of significance to the characters. In “Hamlet”, the supernatural entities were ghosts that appeared to Hamlet himself who pressured him to fulfill his duty and carry out his vengeance. In “The Castle of Otranto”, the supernatural entities ranged from small to large. First, there was the helmet that crushed Conrad, second was the sighing painting, and lastly the ghost of Otranto who claimed Theodore as his son and the rightful heir to the throne. The smaller appearances such as the painting were like signs that Manfred and his lineage were not rightful heirs to the throne, therefore, the duty to produce an heir was not his, it was Theodore’s. In the case of Jerome, he had two conflicting ideas of duty that he had to deal with. One was the duty to the truth and doing the right thing in the name of his beliefs, and the second one was his duty towards his long lost son. These two conflicting roles ended up causing problems for him because of his position with Manfred, Isabella and Hippolita. After Manfred found out about his son, he commanded him to go against his beliefs in order to save his son. He either needed to do what was right no matter what and let his son die, or forsake his beliefs and act out the role of a father and protect his son no matter what the cost. Albeit his decision almost cost him his integrity, it was also a contrast to Manfred and Hippolita. Compared to Manfred and Hippolita, Jerome acted how a parent is supposed to act with their child, he put Theodore before himself, he did not force him to do anything. Hippolita and Manfred did not accept the duty of parenthood like Jerome did, they forced their children to do what they wanted and did not take into consideration their feelings. As opposed to his father, Theodore only had the duty of following the truth and doing what was right. This showed when after he admitted to Manfred that he had seen Princess Isabella the night she escaped, “My voracity is dearer to me than my life…..Nor would I purchase the one by forfeiting the other” (Walpole, 20). Theodore ended up with a different fate According to author Ilna Krausman Ben-Amos, “Parents in early modern England invested in their offspring in their infancy, childhood, early teens but also beyond: well after they left home, married and had families of their own. Children also reciprocated, in childhood but also when they matured and their parents reached old age. The reciprocity was not on equal terms” (Amos, 4). In conclusion Works Cited 1. Walpole, Horace, George Gordon Byron Baron Byron, and Everett Franklin Bleiler. The Castle of Otranto. Courier Corporation, 1966. 2. Shakespeare, William. The Tragedy of Hamlet. University Press, 1904. 3. Ben-Amos, Ilana Krausman. Human Bonding: Parents and their Offspring in Early Modern England. No. 1997-W17. 1997.
The first foil or character that sets off Hamlet, in the play is Laertes. After King Hamlet's death, he, along with Prince Hamlet, return to Denmark for the funeral services. That is the first sign that Laertes will become a foil to Hamlet in the play. Both Laertes and Hamlet are very fond of Laertes' sister, Ophelia, which is the second similarity of the two. Another similarity of Laertes and Hamlet is the father figure of each, Polonius to Laertes and Claudius to Hamlet, has someone to watch them to see if they are acting accordingly. [accordingly?] In act two, scene one, Polonius instructs Reynaldo to go to Paris to give Laertes money and messages, and to find other Danes that will give him gossip about Laertes. In act two, scene two, Claudius instructs Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to find out why Hamlet is acting so strangely. The next similarity of Laertes and Hamlet is that they both grieve over a death in the play. Laertes grieves the death of Ophelia, while Hamlet grieves over his father, King Hamlet's death. The final similarity of Laertes and Hamlet is that both seek revenge for the death of their fathers. Laertes wishes to kill Hamlet after Hamlet murders Polonius and Hamlet wants to kill Claudius for the murder of King Hamlet. Both succeed in their quest for revenge.
One of the foils important to the play is Laertes. Although Laertes does not appear often in the play, he brings much to the plot and to Hamlet's character. These two are similar in many ways. They both seem to be about the same age, are well educated, and gentleman. One main thing that they have in common is they both are seeking revenge for their father's deaths. Both of their fathers were unnecessarily killed. Hamlet's father was killed by his father's brother for the crown and his wife, and Hamlet killed Laertes' father over mistaken identity. It was the revenge of these two that made up the plot of the story. Because of Laertes, the two could finally fulfill their revenge in the battle at the end that killed both Hamlet and the new king. If Laertes had not challenged Hamlet, the king would have died by some other way; however, the king died by poisoning just as he had killed his brother.
In Shakespeare’s “The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark” Hamlet and Laertes act as dramatic foils, where their similarities are used to highlight their differences. Each character learns that his father has been murdered and each plots his revenge against the murderer. In the first act of the play, the ghost of Hamlet’s father tells him “Let not
The deaths of Laertes and Hamlet in the final act are a juxtaposition of their respective characters. Throughout the play we are reminded of Hamlet’s egocentricism, but it is not until this final scene that we can reach this conclusion unequivocally.
When Laertes finds out his father, Polonius, died he acted without hesitation whereas Hamlet avenged his fathers’ death by slowly plotting in a step by step manner. During Act 3 Scene 4 (1-9 pg.1), Polonius and Gertrude talk to each other and tells Gertrude to talk to Hamlet while he spies on him. “Lord Polonius: He will come straight. Look you lay home to him: Tell him his pranks have been too broad to bear with, And that your grace hath screen 'd and stood between Much heat and him. I 'll sconce me even here. Pray you, be round with him. Hamlet: [Within] Mother, mother, mother! Queen Gertrude: I 'll warrant you, Fear me not: withdraw, I hear him coming.” As Hamlet and his mother Gertrude talk they have a little argument and Hamlet says he is upset that she married Claudius. So Gertrude went on to say we shall talk to others as well about this. At this point Hamlet doesn’t want it to be discussed out of the room and when Gertrude tries to leave Hamlet would not let her budge. Gertrude goes on scream help and when Polonius hears he does the same behind the tapestry. Hamlet already had presumed the rat was Claudius and without hesitation killed the rat with his sword and then later finding out he accidently killed Polonius. Act 3, Scene 4 (28 pg.2) “Hamlet “Nay, I know not: Is it the king?” The news reaches Laertes and as he returned from France he assumed it was Claudius who killed his father and attempted to take revenge immediately. “Laertes: To hell, allegiance! Vows, to the blackest devil! Conscience and grace, to the profoundest pit! I dare damnation. To this point I stand That both the worlds I give to negligence. Let come what comes, only I’ll be revenged Most thoroughly for my father.” Act 4, Scene 5 (105-110 pg.7). He later finds out it was Hamlet who killed Polonius. Through these points we can see how Laertes is a foil to Hamlet, because he acts without knowing reasons.
Hamlet questions what may or may not happen however Laertes just wants the revenge fast and effective. Although these characters have different standards when it comes to revenge, they both immediately blamed and directed their anger towards Claudius when they found out their father’s were dead. Hamlet’s reason to blame Claudius is simply because he is his father’s murderer. In 1.5 while Hamlet is talking to the ghost of his father he says, “Haste me to know ’t, that I, with wings as swift/As meditation or the thoughts of love/May sweep to my revenge” (Shakespeare 1.5.31-33). At first is seems as if Hamlet would seek revenge right away because he seems eager to find out who the killer is and when he does find out he says he knew it was Claudius all along. He is furious and after this part in the play, Hamlet’s anger is mainly focused on Claudius. On the other hand when Laertes found out Polonius is dead he went straight to Claudius assuming it was him. By doing this he shows that he is controlled by his impulses unlike Hamlet who waited until he got proof to act on his fury. Laertes also blamed Claudius for not giving his father a proper burial, which can relate to Hamlet’s anger too because Hamlet felt as if there was not enough mourning for his father death. Not only did they both lose their fathers, but they both lost Ophelia, a female figure in their lives that they both loved.
In the play Hamlet by William Shakespeare, the theme of revenge is very palpable as the reader examines the characters of Hamlet himself, as well as Laertes, son of Polonius, and Fortinbras, prince of Norway and son of the late King Fortinbras. Each of these young characters felt the need to avenge the deaths of their fathers who they felt were untimely killed at the bloody hands of their murderers. However, the way each chose to go about this varies greatly and gives insight into their characters and how they progress throughout the play. Hamlet, Laertes and Fortinbras are similar in the fact that each had love, or at least respect, their fathers. Enough to make an attempt to wreak revenge upon their fathers murderers at the risk of their own reputation, freedom, and souls.
Both Hamlet’s and Laertes’ fathers were killed. When Laertes discovered that his father’s been murdered he immediately assumes that Claudius is the killer. As a result of his speculation he moves to avenge Polonius’ death. Laertes lines in Act IV Scene 5 provide insight into his mind displaying his desire for revenge at any cost. “To hell, allegiance! Vows, to the blackest devil! Conscience and grace, to the profoundest pit! I dare damnation. To this point I stand, that both worlds I give to negligence, let come what comes, only I’ll be revenged most thoroughly for my father.” (Act IV Scene 5 lines 136-141) In contrast to Laertes speculation of his father’s killer, Hamlet assumes the individual spying on his conversation with Gertrude is Claudius. “Nay, I know not. Is it the King?” (Act III Scene 4 line 28). Without thinking, Hamlet automatically thrusts out attempting to kill who he believed was Claudius and actually kills Polonius. Fury and frustration instigate Hamlet’s and Laertes’ indiscreet actions and causes them not to think of the consequences that may follow.
...lia was meant to be loyal to her love interest and instead was loyal to her father who told her to spy on Hamlet and discover if his love for her was the source of his madness. This deception is what led to her death. Claudius was meant to be loyal to several people in the state of Denmark, but most importantly King Hamlet, his brother. When Claudius murdered his brother for the crown, he broke the loyalty he had to Denmark. King Hamlet’s ghost appeared to Hamlet and told him that he was to be avenged, which was the overall motive for Hamlet’s madness. Claudius’s death was the resolution to the play because his death was the goal of the entire play. Those who died, died for the actions they had committed and in the end everything fell back into place when all of their wrongs were washed away with their deaths. Their mortality is ended and their wrongs were atoned.
The Web. The Web. 11 Dec. 2011. Newton, K. M. & Co., Inc. The "Othello: Overview" Reference Guide to English Literature.
Each man deals with grief in extremely distinct manners, when looking at Laertes in comparison to Hamlet you can swiftly see their great contrast to one another. Hamlet would rather create reason before madness; he is the type to use his brain before his fist. Whereas Laertes is always caught up in his anger that he sees no means to absolve the actions of others.
In William Shakespeare's tragedy Hamlet, Laertes, Fortinbras and Hamlet find themselves in similar situations. While Hamlet waits for the right time to avenge his father's death, Laertes learns of his father's death and immediately wants vengeance, and Fortinbras awaits his chance to recapture land that used to belong to his father. Laertes and Fortinbras go about accomplishing their desires quite differently than Hamlet. While Hamlet acts slowly and carefully, Laertes and Fortinbras seek their revenge with haste. Although Laertes and Fortinbras are minor characters, Shakespeare molds them in order to contrast with Hamlet. Fortinbras and, to a greater extent, Laertes act as foils to Hamlet with respect to their motives for revenge, execution of their plans and behavior while carrying out their plans.
Throughout Shakespeare’s play, revenge intertwines to bring about the deaths of most of the main characters. Hamlet’s course of revenge initiates the first fatality when Polonius gets caught spying on him and Gertrude (III. iv. 24-25). By pursuing revenge, Hamlet killing Polonius paves the way for more lives to be lost. Claudius sees the murder as an opportunity to eliminate Hamlet, because Laertes’s obsession with revenge leaves him vulnerable. Laertes’s and Hamlet’s revenge lead to the deaths of Gertrude, Laertes, Claudius, and finally Hamlet (V. ii. 287-357). The revenge of each character ironically ended their own life. By acting upon revenge and having inimical intentions, the individuals brought fatalities that were unnecessary.
In the play, there are several characters wanting vengeance like that of Hamlet. Throughout the play, Hamlet, Laertes, and Fortinbras all had a tragic death of a family member which caused their decision for revenge. Consequentially, these revenges caused the demise of two characters and the rise of power of another. The retaliation shown by the Prince of Denmark, as well as Laertes led to the downfall of their government. In the play, Hamlet seeks revenge on his uncle Claudius.
”(153) It becomes clear that the parallels presented throughout the play are there to further illuminate the flaws of Hamlet’s character. Laertes is a hot-headed man looking for revenge. His father was killed by Hamlet and his sister was driven insane due to the series of events that took place because of Hamlet. Like Hamlet, Laertes wants to avenge his father by killing the man who killed Polonius.