What Does Young Fortinbras Want To Do

What Does Young Fortinbras Want? Ambition, Revenge, and the Price of Power in Hamlet

Shakespeare's Hamlet isn't solely Prince Hamlet's tragedy. It's a tapestry woven with the ambitions and desires of several characters, each vying for power and grappling with the consequences of their choices. One such character, though appearing minimally on stage, casts a long shadow: young Fortinbras. His presence, both on and offstage, highlights themes of ambition, revenge, and the ultimately questionable nature of achieving power through violence. Understanding Fortinbras's desires is crucial to understanding the play's broader message about the corrupting influence of power and the cyclical nature of revenge.

Fortinbras: A Foil to Hamlet's Indecision

Fortinbras, the young Prince of Norway, serves as a potent foil to Hamlet. While Hamlet is paralyzed by indecision and introspection, Fortinbras is a man of decisive action. He embodies a stark contrast to Hamlet's contemplative nature; where Hamlet overthinks and delays, Fortinbras acts swiftly and decisively, even if his actions are morally questionable. This contrast underscores Hamlet's internal struggle and highlights the potential consequences of both inaction and rash action.

A Legacy of Lost Honor:

Fortinbras's primary motivation stems from a deep-seated desire to reclaim his father's lost honor. His uncle, the usurper, has stolen both his father's life and kingdom. This fuels Fortinbras’s ambition and provides him with a singular, powerful impetus for action. Unlike Hamlet, who wrestles with the complexities of morality and the weight of revenge, Fortinbras sees his quest as a straightforward path to restoring his family's name and his rightful place on the throne. This clear objective provides him with a focus and determination that Hamlet tragically lacks.

The Weight of a Fallen Father's Reputation: The loss of his father weighs heavily on Fortinbras, driving him to seek vengeance and restore the honor of his family name. This contrasts with Hamlet's own grief, which is internalized and expressed through philosophical contemplation rather than immediate action.

The March to Elsinore: A Display of Military Might

Fortinbras's army's presence in the play is a constant reminder of the potential for violent conflict and the consequences of unchecked ambition. Their march through Denmark underscores Fortinbras's unwavering resolve and his willingness to use force to achieve his goals. This army represents a tangible threat, a constant reminder of the volatility of the political landscape and the ease with which power can be seized through brute force.

A Calculated Risk:

While seemingly reckless, Fortinbras's actions are actually deeply calculated. He doesn't blindly charge into battle; he meticulously plans his campaign, assessing the risks and rewards. He understands the political climate and uses it to his advantage. This carefully planned invasion is a stark contrast to Hamlet's impulsive and often misguided actions, highlighting the difference between calculated ambition and chaotic revenge.

More Than Just Revenge: Fortinbras's campaign is not solely about avenging his father's death. It's also about seizing an opportunity to expand his power and influence. He recognizes the weakness of Denmark following the death of King Hamlet and uses this to his advantage. His ambition is not limited to mere revenge; it's a broader desire for territorial expansion and political dominance.

The Significance of Fortinbras's Actions

Fortinbras's actions, both before and after the events at Elsinore Castle, are instrumental in shaping the play's overarching themes. He acts as a counterpoint to Hamlet's inaction and provides a stark contrast between different approaches to dealing with personal grief and political ambition.

A Pragmatic Leader:

Upon learning of Hamlet's death and Claudius's demise, Fortinbras doesn't engage in further bloodshed or conflict. He takes control pragmatically, demonstrating his capacity for leadership and statesmanship. His ascension to the throne isn't born from impulsive violence but from a calculated assessment of the situation, demonstrating a level of maturity and political acumen that Hamlet never achieves.

A Symbol of Order and Stability: Fortinbras's ultimate reign represents a return to order and stability following the chaos and bloodshed that ensued. He brings a sense of calm after the storm, suggesting that while ambition can be a powerful force, effective leadership requires a degree of control and restraint.

Fortinbras as a Commentary on Leadership

Fortinbras is not presented as a morally flawless character. His actions are driven by ambition and revenge, arguably as questionable as Claudius’s. However, unlike Claudius, Fortinbras's ambition is channeled into a calculated military campaign and ultimately results in the restoration of order, not further bloodshed. He represents a form of pragmatic leadership, albeit one achieved through violence, which contrasts with Hamlet's self-destructive introspection.

The Cost of Ambition:

While Fortinbras achieves his goals, the play subtly implies a cost to his ambition. The violence inherent in his actions underscores the devastating consequences of unchecked ambition and the price of power. Even in his success, there's a sense of underlying tragedy, highlighting the moral complexities of achieving one’s aims through forceful means. This underscores the play's wider theme: the corrupting influence of power and the cyclical nature of violence.

A Questionable Morality: It’s crucial to remember that Fortinbras's actions, though successful, aren't necessarily presented as morally superior. His drive for revenge and power is arguably just as questionable as Claudius's, but the play's narrative structure favors his pragmatic approach over Hamlet's inaction, raising questions about the nature of leadership and morality itself.

Fortinbras and the Cycle of Revenge

Fortinbras's actions serve as a commentary on the cyclical nature of revenge. His desire for vengeance echoes Hamlet’s, creating a chain reaction of violence. Though he ultimately establishes a seemingly stable rule, the underlying violence of his actions serves as a warning against the destructive power of revenge and the potential for an endless cycle of retribution.

Breaking the Cycle?

The play leaves the reader to ponder whether Fortinbras genuinely breaks the cycle of revenge or simply begins a new one. His ascent to power, achieved through military conquest, doesn't eliminate the potential for future conflicts and power struggles. This ambiguity underscores the complexities of political power and the enduring challenges of establishing lasting peace and stability.

A Legacy of Questionable Means: Fortinbras inherits a kingdom scarred by violence and betrayal. While he brings order, the means by which he achieves it remain morally ambiguous. This leaves the audience pondering the long-term consequences of his actions and whether his reign will truly usher in an era of peace or simply set the stage for future conflicts.

Conclusion: The Lasting Impact of Young Fortinbras

Young Fortinbras is more than a minor character in Hamlet. He's a vital element of the play's intricate structure, serving as a counterpoint to Hamlet, highlighting the contrasting approaches to dealing with grief and ambition. His decisive actions, while ethically complex, achieve a degree of order and stability in a world consumed by chaos. His presence underscores the play's powerful exploration of ambition, revenge, and the often-unseen costs of seizing power. His ultimate success, however, leaves us pondering whether his pragmatic approach truly resolves the central conflict or merely postpones it for a future generation. His character serves as a constant reminder that even in the achievement of ambition, there is always a price to pay. The question of what young Fortinbras truly wants is inextricably linked to the larger questions Shakespeare poses about power, morality, and the enduring human struggle for control. His legacy remains a subject of ongoing debate and interpretation, ensuring his enduring significance within the rich tapestry of Hamlet.