Hamlet Fortinbras Character Analysis

Of the numerous characters within Hamlet, Hamlet himself was a character who appeared briefly and held a significant presence. However, Hamlet was not the only character who made a significant presence. Fortinbras, the Norwegian prince, made his presence significant within the play due to his role as Hamlet’s foil. Both Hamlet and Fortinbras affected the action and the development of the play’s themes.

Having read William Shakespeare’s Hamlet, it is highly noticeable that Fortinbras is a character like no other. In the play Fortinbras’ appearance is a rare occasion and when he does happen to appear it is only at the beginning,middle, and end. Being that other characters speak so low of Fortinbras readers can infer that he is not liked. However,

Hamlet instantly grew hate towards Claudius and his own mother after they become married. However, it is quite simple why this angered Hamlet. His new stepfather was his uncle and he married his mother shortly after the death of his father. To avenge his father Hamlet’s primary goal is to eliminate Claudius from the family. The hatred that Hamlet grows for Claudius creates a path for future conflict thus influencing future negative actions. Fortinbras on the other hand is angered by the death his father. Being triggered by the death of his father, Fortinbras plans to avenge his father along with his honor by attacking Denmark.

Not only did Hamlet and Fortinbras affect the action that took place but they also helped contribute to the development of the play’s themes. Although Hamlet had several themes the most evident themes of the play had to be morality and madness. In the play both Hamlet and Fortinbras are driven by their madness. They seek vengeance because of this and also because they have morals. Being angered by the deaths of their fathers they feel that causing madness would be a proper way to avenge them. The following of morals appears through the process of their madness that they reveal after their fathers are