Fortinbras
Fortinbras is the Prince of Norway, whose father was slain in battle by King Hamlet. His campaign to reclaim the lands that his father lost to Denmark after his death becomes one of the subplots of Hamlet. Fortinbras’s story reflects the idea of revenge as cyclical. Hamlet is inspired by Fortinbras’s tenacity and ambition as he watches Fortinbras’s army wage war over a relatively useless piece of land. This inspiration gives Hamlet the resolve to go through with killing Claudius. Fortinbras does not appear in-person until his army arrives in Denmark at the end of the play. Prior to dying, Hamlet remarks that Fortinbras will likely become the new monarch of Denmark and offers his blessing. Fortinbras successfully achieves his revenge by reclaiming the lands his father lost, but it is unclear whether his actions end the cycle of violence and revenge in Denmark.
Expert Q&A
What is the significance of Fortinbras having the last line in Hamlet?
The last line of Hamlet being spoken by Fortinbras is significant as it serves to vindicate Hamlet, asserting his honor and dignity in death. Fortinbras, a prince and likely future King of Denmark, has the authority to give this final verdict. This also prompts the audience to compare Hamlet and Fortinbras, examining their approaches to similar circumstances and the consequences of action versus inaction.
In Hamlet, why does Fortinbras attack Poland instead of Denmark to avenge his father's death?
Young Fortinbras attacks Poland to regain some of his father's honor because his uncle, the current king of Norway, has forbidden him to attack Denmark, as he had planned to do. Young Fortinbras had gathered an army and was preparing to attack Denmark, but his uncle found out and put a stop to it. The prince is permitted to pursue the land his father lost to Poland, despite its lack of value, so he does that instead.
What quote shows Fortinbras marching his army to regain his honor in Hamlet?
In Hamlet, Fortinbras's quest for honor is highlighted in several quotes. In Act 1, Scene 1, Horatio describes Fortinbras as "hot and full" of unimproved mettle, determined to reclaim lands lost by his father. In Act 4, Scene 4, Hamlet admires Fortinbras's ambition, noting his willingness to risk much for honor, even "for an eggshell." Finally, in Act 5, Scene 2, Fortinbras asserts his "rights of memory" in Denmark.
Why does Fortinbras have Hamlet buried with honors?
The best answer would be d). Fortinbras respects Hamlet because he was a fellow prince. He also believes him to have been an honorable man for having fought and died in a duel. Fortinbras knows that if he's going to rule Denmark he must be aware of the country's problems and the struggle for power that had recently taken place. Burying Hamlet with honors is one way of moving on from the past and starting afresh.
Fortinbras' Role and Significance in Hamlet
In Shakespeare's Hamlet, Fortinbras serves as a foil to Hamlet, highlighting Hamlet's indecision and inaction. Fortinbras, a man of action, contrasts sharply with Hamlet, who is burdened by hesitation despite having substantial reasons for revenge. Fortinbras's willingness to fight for a trivial piece of land underscores Hamlet's procrastination. His reemergence at the play's end symbolizes a transition of power, as Hamlet, dying, names him as his successor. Fortinbras's role emphasizes themes of honor, action, and political stability.
Fortinbras' Role and Fate at Hamlet's Conclusion
At the conclusion of Hamlet, Fortinbras arrives in Denmark not to attack but returning from Poland, inadvertently arriving at an opportune moment after the deaths of Claudius, Gertrude, Laertes, and Hamlet. Although initially not aggressive, Fortinbras assumes the Danish throne, supported by Hamlet's dying endorsement and his own claim through "rights of memory." He honors Hamlet with a military funeral, underscoring his respect for the fallen prince. Fortinbras's ascent, though devoid of personal animosity, results in Denmark's rule by a foreign power.
Prince Fortinbras's intention in Hamlet
Prince Fortinbras's intention in Hamlet is to reclaim the lands his father lost to King Hamlet. Throughout the play, Fortinbras seeks to restore his family's honor and regain control over the territories that were taken from them. His determination and military preparations contrast with Hamlet's indecision and contribute to the play's exploration of themes like revenge and duty.
Fortinbras' Ascension to the Throne in Hamlet
Fortinbras' ascension to the throne in Hamlet occurs because he is a strong, decisive leader with a legitimate claim through his father. With the Danish royal family dead, his arrival and subsequent claim are unopposed, signifying a return to order and stability in Denmark after the chaos and tragedy that unfolded throughout the play.
The arrival of Fortinbras at the end of Hamlet as a potential cure to the imagery of corruption, rot, disease, and poison
Fortinbras's arrival at the end of Hamlet symbolizes a potential cure to the pervasive imagery of corruption, rot, disease, and poison throughout the play. His presence suggests a restoration of order and stability to Denmark after the moral decay and chaos that have plagued the court under Claudius's rule.
Reynaldo
Reynaldo is the servant that Polonius sends to France to spy on Laertes. Reynaldo questions Polonius’ intentions, but he ultimately goes along with his master’s bidding. Fundamentally, Reynaldo serves to highlight Polonius’s underhanded methods and Laertes’s unsavory behavior.
First Clown and Second Clown
The clowns are gravediggers whom Hamlet encounters after returning from England. Hamlet asks the first clown whose grave he is digging, but he proceeds to talk circles around Hamlet. The first clown also offers an external perspective on the events of the play, as he relays the common opinion that Hamlet is mad and that he has gone to England to recover. However, he also exemplifies how little the problems of the monarchy matter to the common people by dismissing the situation as unimportant. His wit rivals Hamlet’s, leading Hamlet to exclaim that the gap between the wealthy and the poor is shrinking.
Osric
Osric is a member of the Danish court. He is sent to fetch Hamlet and Horatio for the duel, at which time Hamlet mocks him. Osric represents the superficiality of the Danish nobility, a group who, Hamlet claims, buy their way into Claudius’s good graces because they crave power and influence. He speaks in flowery, elevated language and flatters those more powerful than he is.
Expert Q&A
Who is Osric in Hamlet and why is he included in Act 5?
Osric in Hamlet is a foolish courtier sent by Claudius to invite Hamlet to a fencing match with Laertes, a plot devised to kill Hamlet. He provides comic relief, distracting both Hamlet and the audience from the sinister plan. Shakespeare likely included Osric to satirize superficial courtiers and flatterers at the English court, appealing to his royal patrons.
What is Osric's function in Hamlet?
Osric serves multiple functions in "Hamlet." Practically, he delivers the challenge, explains the wager, and acts as a referee during the duel. His character adds humor and satire as a portrayal of a flashy Elizabethan courtier, showcasing self-importance and sycophancy. Additionally, Osric's lack of surprise at Laertes' confession of treachery suggests he might be aware of the plot against Hamlet, adding a layer of intrigue to his role.
Marcellus, Bernardo, and Francisco
Marcellus, Bernardo, and Francisco are guards at Elsinore. They report their sightings of the ghost to Horatio, who is initially skeptical. However, once the ghost is verified, they agree to bring Prince Hamlet in to try to communicate with it. Marcellus and Bernardo are sworn to secrecy by Hamlet after he speaks with the ghost, while Francisco is not present during the encounter.
Expert Q&A
Marcellus' Role and Actions in Relation to the Ghost in Hamlet
Marcellus, a guard in Hamlet, first encounters the Ghost of King Hamlet on the Elsinore castle battlements. He brings Horatio and Hamlet to see the apparition, confirming its presence. Marcellus' role is pivotal as he helps validate the Ghost's existence and sets the stage for Hamlet's ensuing quest for truth and revenge.
Voltimand and Cornelius
Voltimand and Cornelius are Danish ambassadors sent to Norway by Claudius in act I, scene II. They return in act II, scene II, when Voltimand reports on their assignment. He does so directly and without pomp.
The Players
The players are an acting troupe that comes to Elsinore after being driven out of town by the rising popularity of child-actors. This is often interpreted as commentary by Shakespeare on the increasing demand for younger actors in Elizabethan England. Within Hamlet, the players help Hamlet put on the play with which he hopes to prove Claudius’s guilt. The first player’s emotional reaction to a scene about Hecuba leads Hamlet to reflect bitterly on his own apparent lack of passion and resolve.
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