FORTINBRAS
Let four captains
Bear Hamlet like a soldier to the stage,
For he was likely, had he been put on,
Young Fortinbras is considered to be a character foil to Hamlet. Hamlet is impressed that Fortinbras is such a "he man" ready to risk lives simply for a fight. He wishes he wasn't such a coward over something that has really insulted him. Hamlet resolves to be a "tough man" just like his hero Fortinbras. Hamlet launches into a self deprecating rant about how much of a coward he is. He is impressed by Fortinbra's aggression over a "straw" and laments his own inaction over feeling personally used and insulted.Laertes has some of the fire that Hamlet covets but is less in control as Fortinbras. These last lines indicate an acceptance by Fortinbras as the man, the soldier, Hamlet was always trying to be.
