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[2]      Foils are minor characters, which [sic] through similarities and differences, set off or accent the main characters of a play. There is a strong connection between the foils in a play and one’s final perception of the main charters [Sloppy error]. In this particular drama, there is a continuous shifting of the main character’s emotions. These emotions range anywhere from madness and rage to grief and sorrow. In William Shakespeare’s “Hamlet” [sic] there appears to be a foil which represents each emotion and behavior that is displayed by the main character- Hamlet.

[3]      Laertes holds the most important role as a foil to Hamlet. He represents the rage that boils within Hamlet and the revenge in [drop the "in"] which he seeks. In many ways Laertes mirrors Hamlet[']s character. Their anger is precipitated through the same source; [,] the untimely death of their fathers. Other similarities between the two men include the love that they both felt for Ophelia, and the heartfelt sorrow which they displayed upon her tragic [Sloppy error]. The differences among Hamlet and Laertes become obvious as the two characters are played off of each other. Both men are the dutiful sons of their father’s. However Leartes is portrayed as the well bread [sic :) ] son, while Hamlet’s character is played down to that of a more peculiar type commoner who possesses few royal qualities. Although, [ no , ] both men are students, Leartes prefers to indulges in a Parisian type lifestyle, where as [whereas] Hamlet chooses to study in the more subdued atmosphere of Whittenburg. There is also a difference in the way that both men react to the death of their fathers. Upon learning of his father’s death, Laertes immediately allows his grievances to be known and chooses to go strait to the arena for his revenge. Hamlet chooses a more aristocratic approach [contradicts the previous idea that Hamlet is presented as "a more peculiar type commoner who possesses few royal qualities' (Or is this meant to be ironic?)] in seeking his revenge, as he runs around the shadows of the castle attempting to be deemed crazy.

[4]     Polonius represents the more guarded and paranoid side of Hamlet. Both Polonius and Hamlet are constantly suspicious of other people's motives and are ready to believe the worst in their loved ones. For example: [,] Polonius sends Reynaldo to Paris to spy on laertes [sic] and obtain any information which may prove detrimental to his own character (pp. Act II scene 1). [Ref] This type of conduct resembles the world in which Hamlet keeps himself a prisoner of his own paranoia. In addition, it appears that both men would stop at nothing to stay on top of things. This first becomes obvious in the first scene of act two when both Polonius and Hamlet use Ophelia to hurt one another. Polonius uses her as a decoy to find out if Hamlet is truly mad, and in turn Hamlet uses her as a decoy to make her father think he was mad. The differences in these two characters are apparent from the very beginning of the play. Polonius is portrayed as a imbecile, throughout the entire play he continually makes a ragging fool of himself. [CS -1] Hamlet on the other hand, only acts as a fool at times in order to maintain his attitude of madness for the purpose of achieving his desired plan to kill the king. The most significant difference between the two men is in their level of respect for King Claudius. It is obvious that Polonius would do almost anything to demonstrate and prove his loyalty to the king. Where as [Whereas] Hamlet feels only contempt for Claudius, even before the ghost reveals that he is responsible for King Hamlet’s murder. [CS -1]

[5]     While Ophelia plays one of the smallest roles in “Hamlet”, [sic] her character brings out some emotions in Hamlet that are not reflected by any of the other foils. Although there is little evidence to support the fact that Hamlet was in love with Ophelia throughout the play, his true feelings towards her are revealed in the graveyard scene, as he leaps into her grave displaying his grief. ( Act V, Scene 1). In this scene Hamlet’s ability to show true compassion is revealed. The heartfelt sorrow that he speaks of regarding Ophelia’s death is genuine and possesses no motive. [This requires more explanation and evidence -- his motive could simply be to compete with Laertes.] The similarity between Hamlet and Ophelia is undoubtedly the sense of obligation that each one has for their father. Ophelia submissively obeys her father’s command to report any meetings with Hamlet and otherwise stand clear of him (Act II, scene 1). Hamlet [,] in spite of his anger [,] willingly accepts the advice of his father’s ghost to leave Gertrude to heaven while avenging his death ( Act I, scene iv). [There is a lot of evidence in the play that Hamlet does NOT "leave Gertrude to heaven."] The difference between Hamlet and Ophelia lie in the way that each character reacts to the death of their father. [SV Agr -1] Upon learning of her father’s death, Ophelia was lead [led] into a state of madness, after becoming extremely depressed. Hamlet’s madness, assuming it could be real, was the product of the anger and rage brought on by the murder of King Hamlet. This observation is worth mentioning,since it could add to the purpose of Ophelia’s character as her week [Silly sloppy error] reaction serves to magnify the rage that motivated Hamlets behaviors.

[6]     There is no question as to who takes center stage in this infamous [infamous?] drama by William Shakespeare. But even though Hamlet is the most significant of all characters, his role alone is not enough to steel [Silly sloppy error? Or does the writer really mean "steel"?] the show. It is through the use of foils that an audience can build a strong perception of the roles in [No "in"] which the main characters portray. Therefore, it is the foils in this play that bring Hamlet’s character to life while adding mystique, emotion[,] action and intensity to the story itself.
 

ENL 121 (Vavra) Grading Sheet for MP3B (1 of 3) Foils in Hamlet (Revised 11/27/97)
 

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