Horatio<span>, </span>Fortinbras<span>, </span>Claudius<span>, and </span>Laertes are characters who Shakespeare includes in Hamlet as obvious foils for Hamlet. Horatio’s steadfastness and loyalty contrasts with Hamlet’s variability and excitability.<span>Claudius’s willingness to disregard all moral law and act decisively to fulfill his appetites and lust for power also contrasts Hamlet.</span>
