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Ham Vs. Laertes - College Essay

Ham Vs. Laertes

A foil is a means by which an author or playwright reveals one character in contrast with another character. In ‘Hamlet’, a play by William Shakespeare, the use of a foil is evident among the characters Hamlet and Laertes. Although adversaries, Laertes and Hamlet share several characteristics which make them similar, enabling the audience to learn more about each character individually. There are a variety of supports regarding this discussion throughout the play. Their love for Ophelia, association with their respective families and their similar but differentiated purpose for angered actions, are the primary examples to show the character revelations through a contrast of Hamlet and ...

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she rejects his closeness. Hamlet's broad love for Ophelia caused Hamlet serious suffering after the affection toward Ophelia was rejected. Hamlet's appearance changes accordingly with this rejection of love from Ophelia, "Pale as his shirt, his knees knocking each other, and with a look so piteous in purport, As if he had been loused out of hell.” (II, i, 82-84). When Laertes learns of the death of Ophelia, shock and sadness overcome Laertes, similarly, Hamlet is shocked and sad over Ophelia's death. Hamlet and Laertes are so deeply disturbed at the death of Ophelia they jump into her grave and fight each other. Although Hamlet and Laertes both despised each other, both Hamlet and Laertes loved Ophelia. Hamlet was infatuated with Ophelia, which was obvious during his constant suffering over her rejection of Hamlet. It is also evident at Ophelia’s funeral that Hamlet still had feelings for Ophelia, “I loved Ophelia; forty-thousand brothers Could not, with all their quantity of ...

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Ham Vs. Laertes. (2007, June 15). Retrieved January 11, 2026, from http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Ham-Vs-Laertes/66492

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PAPER DETAILS

Added: 6/15/2007 12:17:11 PM
Category: American History
Type: Free Paper
Words: 1079
Pages: 4

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