Similarities Between Hamlet And Fortinbras

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An individual is influenced by many factors, the choices a person makes are key aspects of their identity. Both Hamlet and Fortinbras in Hamlet by William Shakespeare lose their fathers early on in the play, and they both have the same ultimate goals avenging the death of their father. Fortinbras is fuelled by revenge allowing him to jump in with two feet and act impulsively, leading him to success. In contrast Hamlet is indecisive and requires solid evidence before he can proceed with a revenge plan, overthinking things leads to Hamlets demise. Vengeance consumes Hamlet and Fortinbras, they lack a moral code that results in the loss of numerous innocent lives, they fail in the largest aspects of being Crown Princes; which is putting the good…show more content…
It is clear when Polonous reads out Hamlets love letter to Opheila “O dear Ophelia, I am ill at these numbers. I have not art to reckon my groans, but that I love thee best, oh, most best, believe it. Adieu.” (II,ii,119-122) that revenge is far from Hamlets top priority. In contrast, Fortinbras is shown to have no love interest having no one to ground him he is able to fully invest himself in his revenge ploy. Hamlet needs reassurance despite seeing the spitting image of his father in the form of a ghost, describing the treacherous way his own brother Claudius murdered him. Thus the need is created for his complicated plan of the Mouse Trap, which evidently lead to his downfall. Fortinbras does not have the luxury of seeing the ghost of his father, he has spent 30 years of his life waiting to take revenge on the man that killed his father. This is only possible after the death of his fathers murderer allowing Fortinbras to execute his revenge on the Kingdom of Denmark, all this pent of rage makes him very dedicated to his cause of pursing revenge “Young Fortinbras, …Colleaguèd with the dream of his advantage, He hath not failed to pester us with message Importing the surrender of those lands Lost by his father.” (I,ii,17-24) unlike Hamlet he is fighting to protect his fathers…show more content…
Hamlet takes much longer to act then Fortinbras who immediately takes action by building an army, whereas Hamlet thinks to much and wastes perfect opportunities to achieve revenge. Hamlets procrastination is what lead to his downfall and Fortnbras’ ascent. Losing trust in his loved ones Hamlet goes on a path similar to that of Fortinbras, consisting of rash impulsive decisions Hamlet also feigns insanity, throughout the duration of the play he slowly starts to become mad in reality. Fortinbras is the ideal prince although his methods may be violent, they work unlike those of Hamlets he does not fulfill his duty as a prince he puts himself before the people of Denmark. Hamlet is vindicated of his sins when he kills Claudius and gives his blessing to Fortinbras to take the Danish
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