William Shakespeare wrote the classic play, Hamlet in the sixteenth century. Hamlet would be a very difficult play to understand without the masterful use of foils. A foil is a minor character in a literary work that compliments the main character through similarities and differences in personality. The audience can identify similarities and differences between any of the characters and Hamlet, however, there are two characters that share so much in common with Hamlet that they have to be considered the most important foils in the play. These two characters are Laertes and Fortinbras. It is the great similarities between Laertes, Fortinbras, and Hamlet that make the differences so obvious and therefore help to shape the character of Hamlet.
Laertes is the most noticeable foil for Hamlet, because of his continual direct involvement in the play. Laertes and Hamlet have many things in common. Laertes and Hamlet are both educated men with a high social standing. Hamlet is the prince of Denmark and Laertes is the son of Polonius, Lord Chamberlain. Both Hamlet and Laertes desire revenge for the death of their fathers. Claudius murdered Hamlet’s father and Hamlet killed Laertes’ father. Hamlet and Laertes both had an undying love for Laertes’ sister Ophelia. Laertes showed his love for his sister when he warned her about seeing Hamlet. Laertes knew that as head of the state Hamlet would be unable to choose who he married and that Ophelia would be hurt if she fell in love with him. Hamlet had an undying love for Ophelia despite his actions and words toward her in Act III. He shows this at Ophelia’s burial when he proclaims that his love for h…
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…one as important as that which he shares with Laertes and Fortinbras. Both Laertes and Fortinbras, although in different ways, provided the admiration and pity needed to make Hamlet the tragic hero he was.
Sources Cited and Consulted:
Bloom, Harold. “Introduction.” Modern Critical Interpretations: Hamlet. Ed. Harold Bloom. New York City: Chelsea House Publishers, 1986. 1-10.
Findlay, Alison. “Hamlet: A Document in Madness.” New Essays on Hamlet. Ed. Mark Thornton Burnett and John Manning. New York: AMS Press, 1994. 189-205.
Goldman, Michael. “Hamlet and Our Problems.” Critical Essays on Shakespeare’s Hamlet. Ed. David Scott Kaston. New York City: Prentice Hall International. 1995. 43-55
Rose, Mark. “Reforming the Role.” Modern Critical Interpretations: Hamlet. Ed. Harold Bloom. New York City: Chelsea House Publishers, 1986. 117-128
The Great Expectations of Human Nature
The Great Expectations of Human Nature
Charles Dickens used Great Expectations as a forum for presenting his views of human nature. This essay will explore friendship, generosity, love, cruelty and other aspects of human nature presented by Dickens over 100 years ago.
Friendship was one of the human characteristics Dickens enjoyed. Herbert was a true friend to Pip. Moving to London would have been stressful if Herbert had not eased Pip’s transition into the city. Herbert informed Pip of Miss Havisham’s story when no one else would tell it. When Magwitch arrived and mortified Pip, Herbert was there discuss what was to be done. Herbert was an integral part in the design and implementation of Magwitch’s escape. Herbert even saved Pip’s life from Orlick’s powerful grasp. By associating fellowship with good characters and deeds, Dickens made it known that he admired friendships.
Another human characteristic which Dickens appreciated was generosity. This trait appeared in Magwitch and Pip. Magwitch , the starved convict, was forever grateful to Pip for bringing him food in the opening of the book. Magwitch repaid Pip’s kindness by opening a door to the young man’s dreams. Pip suspected his dear friend, Herbert, would never become prosperous so Pip took some of the money he was receiving from Magwitch and used it as a stipend in Herbert’s behalf. By doing this, Pip precipitated Herbert becoming a partner in a prosperous business. Having characters donate money and benefit from it, Dickens conveyed the goodness of generosity.
To Dickens, the most noble of human characte…
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…me to visit Pip in London, Pip was embarrassed to know him. If Pip “could have kept him away by paying money, [Pip] certainly would have paid money.” After years of Joe’s friendship and loving care, Pip thought of paying him not to visit. At the end of the novel, Pip learned what an unappreciative person he had been to Joe and asked his forgiveness. Dickens presented this piece of human nature well enough to create sympathy for Joe and all parents who receive ingratitude from their children.
Dickens used his characters to convey his thoughts of human nature – good and bad. Dickens believed if he could present both sides of humanity to the public, people would try to better themselves. Dickens hated the Victorian society in which he was bound, and he turned to the pen to alter his bete noire.