The Foils of HamletMany playwrights use Foils to help the audience understand the meaning of a play or the motivations of characters. Foils are minor characters who have similarities or differences with a main character. Sometimes the minor character is in the play, so the main character has someone to talk to. Similarities between foil and major may include gender, the same social class, or being in the same situation. The differences between the two can be an important aspect in their character. The complements in Shakespeare's play Hamlet are the Ghost, Laertes and Ophelia. The ghost of Hamlet's father is a foil for Hamlet. The ghost is in the play so Hamlet has someone to talk to. The ghost provides information on how he died and who committed the murder. While Hamlet talks to the ghost, he becomes very angry with his mother and uncle. He decides that he wants revenge from Claudio for his father's murder. Both Hamlet and the ghost think that Claudius should pay for what he has done. Another similarity between the ghost and Hamlet is that they belong to the same social class. These were some examples of the similarities between Hamlet and his father. In addition to the similarities, Hamlet and the Ghost have some differences. The ghost was murdered before the show began. The audience discovers death when the ghost speaks to Hamlet. Hamlet dies at the end of the play while arguing with Laertes. When Hamlet and his father talked about his mother, he said that he wanted to punish her for what she had done. The ghost told him to leave his mother alone and that she would eventually be punished. The ghost said that it was right for Hamlet to pursue Claudius. Hamlet was angry at his mother for marrying his uncle and for not waiting long enough after her husband's death. The ghost helps explain why Hamlet wants revenge. Laertes is another obstacle for Hamlet. Laertes was in the play, so Hamlet would have someone to fight at the end of the play. Both Hamlet and Laertes want to avenge their father's death. But Laertes wants revenge from Hamlet. [SV Agr -1] Hamlet accidentally killed Polonius while in his mother's bedchamber because he thought he was the king.