The Noble Prize

I believe one of the only noble characters in Hamlet is Laertes. There are multiple ways to define noble, and Laertes embodies almost all these characteristics. A noble person to me is someone who is loyal, just, compassionate, honourable, merciful, forgiving, and righteous. Throughout Hamlet there are many examples of Laertes exhibiting these characteristics. At the beginning of the play, in Act I Scene iii, Laertes talks to Ophelia and shows genuine concern for her happiness, worried about her relationship with Hamlet: “Fear it, Ophelia. Fear it, my dear sister” (I.iii.33). Laertes warns her not to get too attached with Hamlet, for he will not be able to be with her. This exemplifies Laertes compassion. Laertes is also honourable, and has lots of pride. When he discovers the death of his father and the madness of his sister was caused by Hamlet, he vows revenge against him. “Let come what comes, only I’ll be revenged. Most thoroughly for my father.” (IV.v.109-110) Although it may not be the most intelligent or thought-out of vows, it is certainly noble to want and actively seek vengeance, as opposed to moping and hesitating like Hamlet. Laertes is also honourable in the sense that he opposes the idea of using poison to defeat Hamlet, instead desiring to defeat him in a fencing match. Although Laertes does use poison and trickery to kill Hamlet, he starts feeling guilty when fighting Hamlet, “And yet it is almost 'gainst my conscience,” (V.ii.288) and shows genuine remorse after he is mortally wounded by Hamlet and forgives Hamlet of all his wrongdoings: ”Exchange forgiveness with me, noble Hamlet. Mine and my father’s death come not upon thee” (V.ii.324-325). Laertes is truly a noble character, exhibiting noble traits such as compassion, honour, loyalty, remorse, and forgiveness throughout the entirety of the play, from first appearance to untimely death.

Nobility in the modern world is very similar to nobility in Shakespearean times. The same characteristics that made someone nobel in Hamlet still apply today. A person is noble if they are loyal, just, compassionate, honourable, merciful, forgiving, and righteous. There are many people today who fit the criteria, although it is difficult to pick them out. The reason for this is that it is very difficult to remain noble while still being successful. Oftentimes success relies on doing ignoble things and requires ignoble practices and principles. It is just as important to be a noble person today as it was in Hamlet’s time, as nobility is a trait that transcends cultural and material changes. Even as the world and the people in it change, being noble will always be an important trait.

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