Brian O’Grady
ENG4U
Mrs. Venturini
Thursday March 5, 2013
Revenge, Responsibility, and Honour in Hamlet
Hamlet, Laertes and Fortinbras all share a common situation: murdered fathers. However all display different character traits and flaws, explored through the themes of revenge, responsibility and honor. Hamlet’s character is defined by his obsession with vengeance, while Laertes’ pursuit of honour causes him to act recklessly. Ultimately, only Fortinbras is able to demonstrate responsibility and show maturity and restraint in his actions, and thus is the only character of the three to rise above the tragedy and survive.
Throughout the play, Hamlet had an overwhelming need for vengeance. As a result of this, he lacks responsibility and honor. When Hamlet finds out that his father is murdered by Polonius he decides that it is necessary to act crazy, by doing this Hamlet created a distraction which ended with him getting revenge. As a result of his craziness, he acts reckless and irresponsible, Fortinbras and Laertes’ behaviour is more responsible throughout the play, such as in Fortinbras command over an entire army and Laertes work in France. In Act one, Scene 3 of the play, Laertes warns his sister Ophelia of Hamlet:
For Hamlet, and the trifling of his favour,
Hold it a fashion and a toy in blood,
A violet in the youth of primy nature,
Forward, not permanent, sweet, not lasting,
The Essay on One Person Polonius Hamlet Laertes
"Oh, what a tangled web we weave, When first we practice to deceive!" . This quote by Sir Walter Scott has been heard around the world, translated into many languages, and repeated to us by parents, teachers, and our peers. What does it truly mean Humans create major and possibly chaotic problems when trying to beguile others. This quote not only applies to one person affecting another, but also ...
The perfume and suppliance of a minute,
No more. (1.3.5-10).
In this quotation, Laertes says that Hamlets love is not very real and will fade quickly; this is an example of Hamlet’s recklessness. Similar to Laertes and Fortinbras, Hamlet’s father was also murdered but he reacts differently than the others. After the death of Hamlet’s father, his honor becomes less of a priority then it was before. From the beginning Hamlet’s family is dishonored as his father is murdered by his uncle then marries his wife (Hamlet’s mother).
In Act 3, Scene 2 Hamlet says “…I will speak daggers to her, but use none. My tongue and soul in this be hypocrites:…” (3.2.380-381 ).
Hamlet says that he will insult his mother and make her feel guilty, although this could be considered the right thing to do after his mothers actions, it is still very rude and disrespectful to insult your mother. Hamlet had several flaws in his character in terms of responsibility and honor, eventually resulting in his demise.
Although he values honour, the character of Laertes demonstrates a tendency to act recklessly, without proper regard for consequences. Similar to Fortinbras, his father was murdered by Hamlet and this causes Laertes to go into a state of anger and irrational thinking. His irrational and reckless behaviour is displayed when he is about to kill Claudius for his father’s death as he says, “That drop of blood that’s calm proclaims me bastard, Cries cuckold to my father, brands the harlot even here between the chaste unsmirched brow Of my true mother.” (4.5. 116-119).
This is a good example of Laertes acting irrational and not thinking, as he quickly accuses Claudius for the murder of his father. Laertes holds honor very highly and because of his father’s death makes it a priority to gain it back. This is similar to Hamlet and Fortinbras as honor is also very important to them. Laertes describes how honor is very important before he duels Hamlet “I am satisfied in nature, Whose motive in this case should stir me most To my revenge; but in my terms of honour I stand aloof, and will no reconcilement…” (5.2. 228-231).
In this quotation Laertes explains how he cannot let his honor go but how he also forgives Hamlet for his actions. Like Hamlet, he decides to take revenge into his own hands, leading to his downfall.
The Essay on Hamlet Vs Laertes
Hamlet vs Laertes Both Laertes and Hamlet both have similar and unique personality traits. These two characters are essential parts to the structure and theme of this play. Laertes tends to be possibly, in my opinion, an earlier version of Hamlet. Laertes has a positive outlook on life and seems to make the best of his life. Hamlet on the other hand looks at life only for its negative qualities ...
Fortinbras is a noble individual who acts with maturity throughout the play. Like Hamlet and Laertes, Fortinbras’ father was murdered but he reacts very differently than the other two. Instead of taking revenge into his own hands, he lets it go and stays focused on his goals, because of this he is more successful than both Hamlet and Laertes and ends up living instead of dying. In Act 5, Scene 2 Fortibras honors Hamlet and says what a great king he would have been, “…For he was likely, had he been put on, To have prov’d most royal; and for his passage, The soldier’s music and the rite of war speak loudly for him….(5.2.390-393).
This statement by Fortinbras shows his true character and how even when Hamlet died he chose to pay him respect. Fortinbras exemplified acts of courage and responsibility several times throughout the play. He was able to lead an entire army and country, showing what a responsible leader he is. As Hamlet says his dying words he tells Horatio to give Fortinbras his vote for the Danish crown “…But I do prophesy th’election lights On Fortinbras. He has my dying voice….”(5.2. 348-349).
This shows what a tremendous amount of respect and honor Fortinbras peers have for him. Fortinbras throughout the play displayed nobility and an ability to act well beyond his years.
Through the play Fortinbras was able to show a great level of maturity and restraint, allowing him to survive and achieve his goals. The themes of revenge, responsibility and honor are very prominent in Hamlet and Hamlet, Laertes and Fortinbras all react differently to them. Hamlet, Laertes and Fortinbras all had their father’s murdered and this common thread parallels their behaviour. However, Fortinbras is ultimately the only character who is able to act responsibly, thus sparing him from a fall from grace.
