Pennsylvania College of Technology   Dr. Vavra's ENL 121: Lit & Comp

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(1)     In many plays, the minor characters['] only purpose is to establish a main aspect of a major character.  A "foil" is a minor character in literary work who by the similarities and differences in what he or she does (as compared to a more important character).  [Frag - 1] It is to help the audience and reader get a better understanding of the more important character.  In the play Hamlet , [sic] foils are used to establish a major point that would be hidden if they were not used.  There are many foils[,] but Hamlet/Laertes and Hamlet/King Hamlet will be the only ones explored in this essay. [Very weak thesis -- What point is this essay going to try to make about them?]

(2)     King Hamlet and Hamlet, father and son, not only share the same last name, but also have many other similar characteristics.  Both men share the belief that King Hamlet was hurt so terribly by  Cladius that it ruined and ended his life in the living world. [This suggests that he had a life in some other world. As I think about it, I guess he did -- in the world of ghosts. But then, do ghosts have a "life?" As I think about these things, my eyes have kept reading, and now I am lost. Had the writer gone on to explain, I couldn't complain, but the writer dropped the topic.]  The cause of both of their deaths was due  to poisoning, by this horrid man.  These two loving men are very well liked by everyone around them.  The similarities of the King and his heir to the throne puts [SV Agr - 1] into perspective the fact that Cladius is a horrible man who both of them were terribly wronged by. ["Perspective" needs more explanation -- what perspective? Or do you simply mean "emphasizes"?]

(3)     Not only do these two have very similar characteristics, but they are very different in many ways to. [H 50]  King Hamlet was a very serious man who always went through with deeds that needed to be done. [Examples?] On the other hand[,] Hamlet is a very indecisive man.  This is proved by the fact that he was very hesitant to fallow [sic; H 50] through with his father's request to avenge his death.  If  the situation was switched around[,] and Hamlet asked his father to avenge his death, he would fallow [sic] through with no questions asked. [Evidence?] As shown during the play within the play, Hamlet is a very humorous and almost cocky man.  The whole play scene was a joke to him, but his father is always a very serious man.  [This contrast (humorous/serious) is very interesting, but you should have followed it up with evidence from the play. If it does indeed exist in the play, it would help explain why Hamlet takes so long to follow his father's directions, but first you need to show that it does indeed exist in the play.] The differences of these two definitely prove that Hamlet is not nearly the man that his father was.

(4)     Laertes and Hamlet are very similar in many ways.  These two men are both about the same age and both have a love for the game of fencing.  They are both athletic men to a certain extent, who will never except [accept]  loosing [losing] at anything.  The similarities of these men truly make the reader and audience believe that both of them could walk in each others shoes. [B.S. If that is true, then you should be able to give a LOT more similarities.]  The only thing that makes these men who they are is that one was born heir to King Hamlet's throne and the other was not.  [You have just said that your next paragraph is worthless -- be careful with the word "only."] These similar qualities show why it is so hard for Hamlet to avenge his father's death, because he is very hesitant and lacks the confidence needed to do such an act. [Doesn't this contradict your previous sentence?]

(5)     Although they are very similar, there definitely is some differences to. [SV Agr -1; H-50]  Ophelia received love from both of these men.  Laertes loved her as a sister and Hamlet loved her in a more romantic way.  When Ophelia dies the  reaction of Laertes and Hamlet differs completely.  Laertes is very angry and is almost ready to avenge his sister's death.  Hamlet on the other hand is very sorrowful[,] and since he knows that it is so hard for him to avenge his father's death, he could not even think about being angry with Ophelia's death. [???] The differences between these two men show Hamlet that the best thing to do when dealing with death is to just let things happen and deal with the consequences. [This needs a lot more explanation.]

(6)     The importance of a foil as shown is to help the audience and reader interpret a major point.  Hamlet and King Hamlet are very similar but are very different to. [H-50] The similarities of these two men helps to show the audience how much of a sinister and evil man Cladius is.  [SV Agr -1; Aren't the differences between a foil and the person foiled supposed to show the reader something about the person being foiled? How did Claudius get in here?] Showing the differences helps to justify as to [delete "as to"] why it is such a hard feat for Hamlet to avenge his father's death.  The reason being, that Hamlet is simply to [H-50] much of an indecisive caring man who can hardly make himself do harm to anyone else. [To support this, you would need to show that Hamlet's father was -- or was not -- not a caring person and did do harm to someone else.] Laertes and Hamlet are almost identical men, other than a few characteristics.  These two men show love towards Ophelia but in totally different ways.  Laertes is very angry with his sister's death[,] but on the other hand Hamlet is just very sorrowful and knows that there is nothing that he can do know. [H-50; I don't understand -- what can Laertes do now?] This justifies as to ["explains"?] why it was so hard for Hamlet to avenge his father's death.  The comparing and contrasting of Laertes and King Hamlet vs. Hamlet, [Delete the comma.] is very important in better understanding the character of Hamlet.  Without the use of foils in Hamlet, the play would not nearly be the masterpiece that it is accepted as today.

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