Foils in HamletA foil is a minor character in a literary work that compliments the main character through similarities and differences in personality and plot. Of all the contrasting elements in Shakespeare's "Hamlet", [Titles] Laertes has the greatest impact on Hamlet's character. While Hamlet retained his status as a prince, it was Laertes who represented the well-bred son of the royal family and the traditional hero of vengeance. [The thesis does not cover the essay.]Some similarities between Laertes and Hamlet were that they were both students. Laertes and Hamlet were dutiful sons [who] were outraged and felt personally offended by the death of their fathers. They vowed to take revenge on the attacker. Laertes and Hamlet both blamed Claudius for the deaths of their fathers. [no'] Furthermore, Hamlet and Laertes posed a threat to Claudius because of their potential to become king. They go beyond the law to seek justice, which discredits the honorable basis of their actions. There was a shared love for Laertes' sister Ophelia. Hamlet and Laertes saw the ghost of Hamlet's father. [?]One of the differences between Laertes and Hamlet was that Laertes allowed his anger and grief over his father's death to be known. While when Hamlet's father died, he [sic] secretly ran away [?] and was considered mad. Laertes goes to school and indulges in a Parisian lifestyle, as Hamlet chooses to study in Wittenburg in a more subdued environment. [Interesting point] Laertes has a lot of passion while Hamlet has none. Laertes was raised only by his father as Hamlet had a mother and father who raised him. Furthermore, Laertes was portrayed as the well-mannered son of a royal family's advisor and Hamlet played [?] the role of a commoner. The ghost of Hamlet's father would speak to Laertes as it would to Hamlet. [Not true]Being an ambitious young prince was a similarity between Fortinbras and Hamlet. Both are on a mission of revenge. Furthermore, both Fortinbras and Hamlet lost their fathers. [no '] Ironically Denmark is a similarity because it was initially controlled by Fortinbras' father, then by Hamlet's father[' H-50], then by Hamlet and finally back to Fortinbras. [Excellent observation] Fortinbras had a familial connection with Ophelia, Hamlet's love. [A quote from the play is needed: I don't remember it.