Hamlet Group

Question:

kristina89
kristina89
Student
High School - 12th Grade

What does the fact that Laertes has been living in France make Horatio think that Hamlet will lose the sword fighting contest?

act 5 sc 2

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Posted by kristina89 on Tuesday December 11, 2007 at 8:44 AM and tagged with characters, contest, france, hamlet, horatio, laertes, sword.

Answers:


  1. amy-lepore Teacher
    High School - 12th Grade

    eNotes Editor

    In this scene it is mentioned that Laertes has been studying with an expert French swordsman and that his skills are excellent.  Horatio predicts Hamlet will lose against Laertes because he does not know that Hamlet has also been brushing up on his skills.  If Hamlet had not, it stands to reason that study with an expert in the field of swordsmanship, or any other expertise for that matter, would give him an advantage in the contest.  Hamlet tells Horatio that he has been practicing and feels confident in his abilities to compete with Laertes, despite a sense that something is wrong-- “as would perhaps trouble a woman.”  This is Hamlet's Spider Sense kicking in to tell him that the arrangement is not just a convenience and source of entertainment for the bored royal party...there is something more involved. 

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    Posted by amy-lepore on Tuesday December 11, 2007 at 8:59 AM

  2. lensor
    lensor Teacher

    eNotes Editor

    Laertes has been actively fencing while studying in France. In fact, he has been studying with a master swordsman.  As far as Horatio knows, Hamlet is out of practice with sword and epee.  Therefore, at least as far as Horatio is concerned,  Laertes is the more accomplished fencer and should easily defeat Hamlet in any contest with swords. 

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    Posted by lensor on Tuesday January 1, 2008 at 5:25 PM