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A foil is a minor character in a literary work that compliments the main character through similarities and differences in personality and plot. In William Shakespeare's play "Hamlet", the main character, Hamlet, has three major foils. These foils are his close friend Horatio, Fortinbras, Prince of Norway, and the brother of his love, Laertes. These three characters contradict and enhance Hamlet's major characteristics.
Hamlet's friend Horatio is a foil for him because he brings out the revenge and betrayal in Hamlet. He is a listener for Hamlet. Horatio seems to be the only one who is sympathetic of Hamlet concerning the death of his father and his mother's quick remarriage. He is very loyal to Hamlet. Horatio, through conversation, develops Hamlet's image. He is the only person Hamlet can come and talk to about all that is going on in his life. Hamlet uses Horatio as a release and tells Horatio some of the plans he has in order to take revenge. In act 2, scene 1,......

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Approximate Word Count: 675
Approximate Pages: 3 (250 words per double-spaced page)

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