Fortinbras

Fortinbras

1. Fortinbras vs Hamlet

   • Fortinbras is what a prince should be- ready to fight and bold. This contrasts to Hamlet's inability to act and intent introspection
     • 'Young Fortinbras/of unimproved mettle hot and full'
       • 'hot and full' shows an eagerness to fight
     • 'like a John-a-dreams, unpregnant of my cause'
       • John-a-dreams was a common figure, an 'intellectual fool' who doesn't do anything. 'unpregnant' shows how unlike Fortinbras, he is not 'hot and full'
     • ‘Fortinbras’ boldness contrasts with Hamlet’s stretched-out neurotic feelings on unmanliness'- Joe Sutcliffe
       • The cont. between H and F shows how lost Hamlet is and how incorrectly he is acting- Fortinbras shows the ideal way to conduct revenge and we become aware of the tragic situation Hamlet is in
   • Both men are in the same position- they both need to avenge their fathers.
     • AO3- Fortinbras will carry out his revenge in war, and this was religiously acceptable, unlike Hamlet.
       • 'but to recover of us, by strong hand/... those foresaid lands/so by his father lost.'
         • Fortinbras' intention is politically motivated, and therefore he is doing what is expected of him by god and by the people

2. Fortinbras and the tragedy of Hamlet

   • Fortinbras spurs on the political corruption of the state of Denmark by being its aggressor
     • sets the corruption of the family against a whole backdrop of political stress
       • 'there is something rotten in the state of Denmark'
   • Sidney: 'tragedie shows upon what weak foundations gilden roofs are bilded'
     • Therefore the state must fall along with the domestic family because this will demonstrate how weak Claudius' power is
       • Emma Smith: 'the ultimate annihilation of Denmark is as important as the death of Hamlet himself.’
       • 'never did the king suffer, but with a general groan'
         • fortunes of royal family aligned with the state

3. Fortinbras and the Old/New World

   • Fortinbras is a chivalric figure who seeks to avenge his father on the battlefield, whilst Hamlet seeks to avenge OH through subterfuge
     • When he arrives in 5.2 we see the reinstating of an old world order- common in tragedy (Oresteia)
       • 'go bid the soldiers shoot'
         • Fortinbras seems to be establishing martial rule to a state which has been dominated by treachery and false diplomacy
           • Sue Hemming: Fortinbras seems to be upholding that older world of honour and duty’
             • Hamlet is part of the new world order, despite the fact he is battling against Claudius, who is too.
               • Hamlet embodies the introspection and cowardice, whilst Claudius embodies the scheming and evilness
                 • 'conscience doth make cowards of us all.'
                 • 'the king doth keep... wassail' 'satyr'
               • Sue Hemming: ‘Fortinbras restores the decorum which has been so shockingly absent in Denmark as Claudius caroused and committed adultery, and Hamlet contemplated suicide’
       • 'such a sight as this/becomes the field, but here shows much amiss.'

4. Both restores Denmark to its rightful state and is part of its corruption