Hamlet mentions young Fortinbras in Act IV Scene 4. Fortinbras, from Norway, is leading his troops across Denmark to fight in Poland. After a brief conversation with a captain in the army, Hamlet begins to contemplate his own mission to avenge his father's death. He compares himself to Fortinbras, a "delicate and tender prince," leading an army to fight and die for a worthless piece of land in Poland. Noting that these men are fighting...
Hamlet mentions young Fortinbras in Act IV Scene 4. Fortinbras, from Norway, is leading his troops across Denmark to fight in Poland. After a brief conversation with a captain in the army, Hamlet begins to contemplate his own mission to avenge his father's death. He compares himself to Fortinbras, a "delicate and tender prince," leading an army to fight and die for a worthless piece of land in Poland. Noting that these men are fighting only for honor, he chastises himself for his hesitation in gaining vengeance. Fortinbras has no real quarrel with his enemies, yet he risks his life to fight. Hamlet has a "father kill'd, a mother stain'd" and yet has not been able to bring himself to kill Claudius. After considering the difference between himself and Fortinbras (who is probably about his age) Hamlet resolves that from this point on, he will focus on vengeance. "From this time forth," he vows, "My thoughts be bloody or be nothing worth." So in this soliloquy, Hamlet reveals that he sees himself as a bit of a coward compared to young Fortinbras.
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