Osric Character Analysis Essay
“Any fool can turn a blind eye but who knows what the ostrich sees in the sand.”
- Samuel Beckett
In the play Hamlet, written by William Shakespeare, the character, Osric, only appears in Act V, scene ii. At the time of his appearance, he is seemingly insignificant to the plot, however as the scene progresses it becomes very evident that Osric’s role is quite prominent. Osric may seem almost as if he is a fool in the way he acts, yet he is still able to convince Hamlet to fence Laertes, in a match that Claudius assembles. Although Osric appears briefly throughout the play, he propels the plot along by putting up a facade
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to convince Hamlet to fence Laertes, while conspiring with King Claudius, essentially bringing Hamlet to his death. Close to the beginning of act V, scene ii, Osric, a young courtier, enters to talk with Hamlet. The interaction between the two starts with Osric welcoming Hamlet back to Denmark, as Hamlet rudely does not answer him, rather having a side conversation with Horatio. This little side conversation gives the reader insight into how Hamlet truly feels about Osric, as he refers to Osric as an insect. Also, Hamlet mentions that it not a pleasure to know Osric, since Osric is only an advisor to the king due to the large amounts of money he possesses. Hamlet further proves to Horatio that Osric is a fool and easily persuaded by telling Osric to put on his hat he was holding saying that it is very cold, when Osric first says that it is hot. Osric then agrees with Hamlet that it is very cold, however Hamlet cleverly adds that it is quite sultry, causing Osric to agree with him. It is clear that Hamlet is able to expose that Osric does not really have any substance behind him, later saying that, “He (and many more of the same breed that I know the drossy age dotes on) only got the tune of the time, and, out of an habit of encounter, a kind of〈yeasty〉collection, which carries them through and through the most ⸢fanned⸣ and 〈winnowed〉opinions; and do but blow them to their trial, the bubbles are out,” (V. ii. 202-208). Hamlet compares Osric to frothy bubbles, and when blown upon, they collapse and fall apart. Hamlet may see through Osric’s daft exterior, however Hamlet does not see that it is all just a facade. Behind this strange exterior, Osric is secretly very manipulative and able to trick Hamlet to take part in the fencing match against Laertes. Using his facade, Osric is cleverly able to manipulate Hamlet into taking part of the match, rigged by Claudius. As Hamlet exposes most of Osric’s personality and traits, Osric tells Hamlet of a fencing match, created by the king, that Hamlet should take part of. Osric then continues to tell Hamlet that the king has placed bets on the match and speaks highly of his opponent to be, Laertes. Although it is hard to tell Osric’s intentions while he is telling Hamlet of the match, it is later evident that he is associated with the king’s secret plot to kill Hamlet, meaning that at that time, he was trying to convince Hamlet to fence in the match. Osric twists his words to specifically force Hamlet to want to take part in the match by saying, “I mean, sir, for ⸢his⸣ weapon. But in the imputation laid on him by them, in his meed he’s unfellowed,] (V. ii. 154-156). Osric may come off as a fool, however a real possibility could be that he is using this persona to trick Hamlet and others, so that they cannot see his true intentions. By talking so highly of Laertes, he makes Hamlet so intent on defeating Laertes, this renowned fencer, in the match. Osric twists his words, to entrigue Hamlet with this match and cause him to actually participate in it. In the quote he is telling Hamlet that Laertes is unrivaled, provoking Hamlet to want to change this reputation. There is a competitive nature within every person, causing them to want to beat the odds put against them, in this case winning against someone who is considered to be the best fencer. It is apparent that Osric manipulates Hamlet into fencing into the rigged match, set up by Claudius. As the scene progresses on, it is noticeable that Osric is conspiring with the king and Laertes with their plot to murder Hamlet in the fencing match.
This fact is not clearly mentioned in the text, however, it is implied through the events that occur, mainly Osric’s actions at the start of the fencing match. When the match is beginning, the king says, “Give them the foils, young Osric,” (V. ii. 277). It does not say it within the text, however the reader can tell that Osric gives each opponent that correct foil. Maybe it is pure luck that Osric gets this right, although there is a very slim chance that it was just a coincidence; it would make more sense that Osric would get it right if he is conspiring with the king. Osric’s association with the murder plot is the only logical event that could have occurred, because there was over a fifty percent chance that Osric would have given the poisoned sword to Laertes since the king provides more than two foils during the match, thus, Osric must be associated with the king’s plot. Another part of the scene that makes conspiracy seem very possible occurs as Laertes is dying, after being wounded by Hamlet’s foil. Osric asks Laertes how he is doing and Laertes responds by saying, “Why as a woodcock to mine own springe, Osric,” (V. ii. 336), telling Osric that he feels like a stupid bird caught in his own trap. Everything that occurs at this part may appear normal, however most people would think that Osric would add a follow up …show more content…
question such as, “Why do you think that?” if he is not part of the conspiracy, further proving that he must be part of the plot. If he were not part of it, he would not understand why Laertes feels like he has been caught in his own trap, however, he clearly knows what Laertes is saying there. When reading further into what the text is saying, the reader can tell that Osric must be part of the king’s plot to murder Hamlet. Moreover, Osric moves the plot along by essentially bringing Hamlet to his death. Without Osric’s interactions with Hamlet, Hamlet would not go to the fencing match and the inevitable fencing scene could never occur. Osric truly transitions the plot of the play from the rising action to the point of emotional interest, which is the most important part, out of the entire play. Also without Osric’s association with King Claudius, Laertes may not have ended up with the correct poisoned foil. Without his conspiring, there was over a fifty percent chance he would have gotten it wrong, meaning that the odds were already against him, making it more likely that Osric is conspiring with the king. It is obvious that Hamlet is brought to his death by Osric, making Osric’s role in Hamlet Prominent among the rest. It may be easier to make snap judgments about a person based on appearances, however it is important to dive deeper to find their real substance.
As Samuel Beckett once said, an ostrich can bury its head in the sand, but it is about what the ostrich, “sees in the sand.” Osric is just like the ostrich, covering his conspiracy with Claudius and Laertes with his dimwitted exterior. It is clear to see why Shakespeare gave Osric his name, derived from an old english word meaning ostrich. Without Osric’s role in the play, Hamlet, the play would never reach its point of emotional interest, where the conflict is eventually resolved. Osric has a very brief role making him a small, yet really important character, propelling the entire play forward to its inevitable tragic ending. As much as some people may deny it, Osric is the character who propels the plot along the most out of anyone in the
play.
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.
Throughout the play, Laertes is as an extremely caring member of his family. His strong emotions for family have an opposing side to it, a shadow that has repressed feelings of anger which cause him to add to the disaster in Denmark. An example that depicts this is when Laertes attempts to request more rites for Ophelia’s funeral. After he is denied, he starts a commotion by calling the priest “churlish”, explaining that Ophelia will be “A ministering angel” while the priest will “liest howling”(5.1.217-218). His compliments to Ophelia shows how much he loved her, while his nasty insults to the priest show his repressed rage. While this is occuring, Hamlet hears Laertes’s mention of Ophelia during the commotion and throws himself into a brawl with Laertes. It is the conflict built up from there that causes Claudius to target Laertes as his next weapon to kill Hamlet with. Laertes’s deep anger for Hamlet makes himself the best candidate for Claudius’s manipulation. Once Laertes’s sides with Claudius, he shows his dark intent by requesting Claudius to not “o'errule me to a peace”(4.7.58). On the day of the duel, Laertes undergoes a confrontation of his shadow while he clashes with Hamlet. His realization of his shadow comes too late into the duel when both Hamlet and Laertes are struck by poison, as this happens he declares that he is “ justly killed with mine own treachery (5.2.337).” In the moments that he is still alive, he dismisses his shadow and ends the circle of murder by announcing the true nature of Claudius. Laertes’s repressed anger guides the play into the duel where many deaths occur including Hamlet’s.
Hamlet tarnishes his image and sacrifices his dignity as a result of his ploy to fool those around him and avenge his father’s murder. Initially, the character of Hamlet is portrayed as “a soldier” and “a scholar” with “a noble mind”. This description by Ophelia is one that the citizens of Elsinore including friends and family of Hamlet would have open-heartedly agreed to. After all, as Claudius said to Hamlet: “You are the most immediate to our throne...” Hamlet must act in a presentable state at all times so can be in favor with the people in the event that he were to become king. However, after the revelation by the Ghost that “The serpent that did sting thy father's life now wears his crown,” Hamlet is shocked but at the same time confused. He is forced into a conflict between acting and not acting ...
The main plot of Shakespeare's Hamlet centers around Prince Hamlet's desire to repay King Claudius for his evil deeds. Around this central action revolve the stories concerning the minor characters of Polonius and Ophelia. Though they do not motivate Hamlet's actions towards the King, these characters act as forces upon Hamlet himself, trying to spur him to do things he does not want to do. Both Polonius and Ophelia try, unsuccessfully, to manipulate Hamlet into a place of inferiority.
It is often said that characters who are in constant conflict are different in nature. Although this is often true, it does not apply to William Shakespeare’s Hamlet, as characters who are very similar to each other are also involved in constant conflict. While some may argue that Hamlet and Laertes have distinct differences, it is evident that there are noticeable similarities between them. These similarities are evident when looking at their deep love for Ophelia, their desire to leave Denmark, and their domineering attitude towards females throughout the play.
In The Tragedy of Hamlet, Shakespeare developed the story of prince Hamlet, and the murder of his father by the king's brother, Claudius. Hamlet reacted to this event with an internal battle that harmed everyone around him. Ophelia was the character most greatly impacted by Hamlet's feigned and real madness - she first lost her father, her sanity, and then her life. Ophelia, obedient, weak-willed, and no feminist role model, deserves the most pity of any character in the play.
Laertes holds the most important role as a foil to Hamlet. He represents the rage that boils within Hamlet and the revenge which he seeks. In many ways Laertes mirrors Hamlet's character. Their anger is precipitated through the same source, the untimely death of their fathers. Other similarities between the two men include the love that they both felt for Ophelia, and the heartfelt sorrow which they displayed upon her tragic death. The differences between Hamlet and Laertes become obvious as the two characters are played off of each other. Both men are the dutiful sons of their father's. However Leartes is portrayed as the well-breed son, while Hamlet's character is played down to that of a more peculiar type commoner who possesses few royal qualities. Although both men are students, Leartes prefers to indulges in a Parisian type lifestyle, whereas Hamlet chooses to study in the more subdued atmosphere of Whittenburg. There is also a difference in the way that both men react to the death of their fathers. Upon learning of his father's death, Laertes immediately allows his grievances to be known and chooses to go strait to the arena for his revenge. Hamlet chooses a more peculiar approach...
Minor characters play a very crucial role in Shakespear's Hamlet. They serve as narrators for events that occurred outside the immediate play: the Dane's ghost. Distinct contrasts are created through the usage of the play's minor characters. The reader gains new perspective on Hamlet's character when he is compared with Laertes. The presence of these minor characters can also have a direct effect on the action of the play. The actors in the play within the play are used to expose the guilt of Claudius; Hamlet then has proof of the King's crimes. The expertise use of these characters - either to exemplify good and purity, or to spread the vile corruption which permeates Elsinore - is one of the main reasons for Hamlet's success as one of the greatest plays ever written.
Finally we arrive at the sword match between Hamlet and Laertes. Hamlet is unaware of Claudius’ poisoned goblet and the poisoned tip of Laertes’ sword. When Laertes cuts Hamlet, he makes the choice to stab Laertes, who would see him dead as well.
Hamlet by William Shakespeare is one of the world’s most revered literature. The main character, Hamlet, is arguably one of the most intriguing characters the playwright ever developed. Hamlet is daring, philosophical, mentally unstable at times, and clever. Throughout the play though, these characteristics change and/or diminish as Hamlet is put through a plethora of unfortunate events. His father is murdered by Claudius, his mother soon after marries Claudius, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern betray him, and his girlfriend most likely commits suicide. While Hamlet is incredibly philosophical, indecisive, and full of resentment in the beginning of the play, he becomes violent, instinctive, caring and sympathetic towards the end of the play.
The king forbade Fortinbras to wage an attack against Denmark, and instead suggested he attack the Poles to vent his anger. Fortinbras agreed to the plan, but had no intentions of following it. Polonius was King Hamlet’s advisor and the father of Ophelia and Laertes, both of whom respected and loved him, despite his arrogant demeanour. Young Hamlet murdered Polonius accidentally, thinking him to be the king eves dropping on a conversation between Hamlet and his mother. "How now! A rat? Dead, for a ducat, dead!" Laertes returned home immediately after hearing of his father's death and confronted the King, accusing him of the murder of his father. Once Claudius told Laertes that Hamlet was responsible for his father's death, he and Claudius concoct a scheme to kill Hamlet using a poison tipped sword. "…Hamlet, thou art slain…The treacherous instrument is in thy, unbated and envenom'd…" Hamlet does indeed die as a result of wounds inflicted by Laertes, but it is the poisoned tipped sword that causes the demise of Laertes as well.
One of the most popular characters in Shakespearean literature, Hamlet endures difficult situations within the castle he lives in. The fatal death of his father, and urge for revenge leads Hamlet into making unreasonable decisions. In William Shakespeare’s play, Hamlet, Hamlet’s sanity diminishes as the story progresses, impacting the people around him as well as the timing and outcome of his revenge against Claudius.
Keys to Interpretation of Hamlet & nbsp; William Shakespeare's Hamlet is, at heart, a play about suicide. Though it is surrounded by a fairly standard revenge plot, the play's core is an intense psychodrama about a prince gone mad from the pressures of his station and his unrequited love for Ophelia. He longs for the ultimate release of killing himself - but why? In this respect, Hamlet is equivocal - he gives several different motives depending on the situation. But we learn to trust his soliloquies - his thoughts - more than his actions.
Hamlet, a seventh century story put to life through the amazing writing of Shakespeare, is a play that shows how meticulous and well thought out plans will bring about the desired result. The plays main character, Hamlet, is a Renaissance man that struggles with the corrupt world around him. He must deal with such issues like "blood for blood revenge" when his own uncle kills his father and takes his place as king. A ghost king appears to Hamlet and catalyzes the events that follow in the play. Hamlet must devise a plan to take revenge for his father and bring to justice all the people who have marred the situation.
Living the royal life can take a toll on a person. In this case, young Hamlet is under a great deal of stress from his role as the prince of Denmark. Hamlet, one of William Shakespeare's most famous plays, tells the tragic story of the prince. Hamlet is the son of King Hamlet and Queen Gertrude. He seems to enjoy a normal life- as normal as it can be as a member of the royal family. He also has a love interest, Ophelia, who appears to love him, too. Unfortunately, Hamlet’s comfortable life quickly transforms into a life of sadness and confusion. After his uncle kills his father and takes over the throne, Hamlet is not the same. In fact, he starts behaving crazy. However, one can argue that Hamlet is pretending the whole time.