on. Laertes acts on impulsion and without reasoning. Revenge was the driving force behind both characters' actions and it led to their eventual down fall.Fortinbras is the son of Old Fortinbras, King of Norway, killed during the battle with King Hamlet. Through a "Seal'd compact" (Act 1, 1:89), the lands of Old Fortinbras were forfeited to Denmark. Fortinbras, being the son of the Old King, vows to avenge his father's death and reclaim the lands that were lost. Fortinbras shares similarities and differences with Hamlet, "Fortinbras is a scholar, a soldier, the man of procrastination and the man of reason and action" (Nardo, 101). From the way Fortinbras quickly gathers his army and his intent to attack Poland, “we can see that indeed he is an energetic vigorous leader with clear ambitions” (Nardo, 105). He is definitely a solider. Hamlet however, is referred to as a soldier not only by Fortinbras but also by Ophelia. But Hamlet seemed to me is much more a scholar than a soldier. Hamlet “has been at the University of Wittenberg, . . . and by training, such a man learns to analyze problems, and his responses are never automatic because his decisions come after contemplation rather than from impulse. Though Hamlet may be slow to make a decision, that decision will be based on reason” (Nardo, 64). The last scene of the play demonstrates the true character of Fortinbras. As he arrives at Castle Elsinore, he quickly analyses the situation he finds then acts upon it. His action to avenge his father’s death was therefore, carefully analyzed and executed as he planned. Fortinbras’ ability to act upon reason and not emotion is one of the most significant differences he has with Hamlet. As I mentioned before, Hamlet and Laertes represent the extremes of action. Fortinbras therefore, is the midpoint of the two extremes; his ability to reason and the act upon the reason has resulted in his possess...
