Term Paper on "Hamlet Prince of Denmark"

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It is for his own self-aggrandizement and enrichment that Fortinbras goes: "Importing the surrender of those lands/Lost by his father, with all bonds of law, / to our most valiant brother" (I.2). The politically savvy and cynical Claudius speculates, not without some justification that Fortinbras is seeking these lands not out of outrage for an old crime done to Fortinbras' father, but because he thinks Denmark is a state of transition, after the recent death of Old Hamlet, and thus will not be able to defend itself. Fortinbras later is proven right to some degree, as he assumes the Danish crown at the end of the play, after the court is decimated as a result of Claudius', Laertes', and Hamlet's actions during the final duel.

Later on in the play, Hamlet himself, after thinking about killing Claudius at prayer, and then deciding not to literally become a 'back stabber' will half-admire, half-despise Fortinbras' bloody military quest. Fortinbras goes to gain:.".. A little patch of ground / That hath in it no profit but the name. / to pay five ducats, five, I would not farm it;" says a Norwegian captain, to Hamlet. However, for his own name, Fortinbras will sacrifice the lives of his men (IV.4). This suggests that Fortinbras' revenge has nothing to do with honoring the memory of his dead father but rather with his own honor. To make his own name in the world he will fight for a land as worthless as "an eggshell," in Hamlet's words, and he places the defense of his reputation above life itself, even the security of his citizens, army, and nation (IV.4).

Hamlet, although he despises Fortinbras' morality, as is evident in his ironic and bitter words, still admires the Norwegian's devotion to action, and contrasts it with his own attitude: "That have a father kill'd, a mother stain'd,/Excitements of my reason and my blood,/and let all sleep?" (IV.4). Hamlet has more cause to act in a bloody fashion, but less motivation. He uses the example of Fortinbras, however perverse, to spur on his "dull revenge," own need for action and to revenge a truly beloved father (IV.4). Hamlet seems to imply that killing Claudius, however, will somehow be more productive than killing men over a worthless piece… READ MORE