Strap in; we're talking about Fortinbras from Shakespeare’s classic tragedy, Hamlet. This noble young prince from Norway has more backbone than most modern politicians put together. Picture him marching across the stage of Renaissance Europe with resolve and ambition that would put today's leaders to shame. Fortinbras arrives on the scene in the wake of his father’s death at the hands of King Hamlet, seeking vengeance and reclaiming the lands once owned by Norway, unsatisfied with the status quo and undeterred by the complexities of royal politics.
What makes Fortinbras compelling is exactly the kind of thing liberals fear: determination, a clear agenda, and a lack of patience for diplomatic nonsense that gets things nowhere. While Hamlet famously waffles, pondering existential dilemmas and sulking in indecision, Fortinbras knows what he wants. By any means necessary, he's ready to claim what's due in a crisis of leadership and responsibility. It's hard to imagine anyone staying on the throne for long if they weren't quite literally ready to fight for it.
Fortinbras radiates the kind of energy that makes you wonder how he'd deal with today's bureaucratic quagmire. Liberals may gush over Hamlet’s philosophical soliloquies, but realists know the world needs doers, not dreamers who just hide behind a curtain of inaction. Society thrives on leaders who don't just talk the talk but walk the walk, and Fortinbras embodies that through his unyielding pursuit of restoring Norway’s lost honor.
When Hamlet meets his demise in Act V, all the moral and existential quibbling that clogged the Danish palace evaporates, and who steps into the power vacuum? Fortinbras. He doesn’t just inherit a throne; he secures a victory, one that results from clear purpose and ambition, making him a celebrated figure, a symbol of decisive action in the face of chaos. In Hamlet, it’s a drama that comes full circle, with Fortinbras bringing a sense of order that Hamlet's brooding never could.
Don't buy into the narrative that we need more dithering and ethical handwringing when faced with hard truths. Fortinbras proves that action, especially when resolute with purpose, speaks volumes more than naval-gazing ever could. The world could use a few more Fortinbrases and a few fewer uncertain Prince Hamlets. Could Fortinbras be a beacon for today’s decision-makers? We could only hope so, as he shows us that strength and resolve matter, even in the most trying of times.
It’s no wonder Shakespeare chose Fortinbras to close out Hamlet’s tale. His ascent to power isn’t just a narrative convenience; it’s a testament to the necessity of strong leadership. His story isn’t just an annex to Hamlet’s; it’s a parallel tale that quietly runs its course, reminding the audience that while intellectual rigor is essential, so is the ability to translate that rigor into action.
Sure, academics may spend untold hours celebrating Hamlet's internal conflict, yet the resolution proves to be an object lesson: In the end, a stable, secure state isn’t won by indecision; it’s achieved through sober, pragmatic action. Fortinbras delivers, epitomizing the very qualities that have historically built and maintained great civilizations. We should think about what Fortinbras would do in today's world. Rest assured, he'd shake up the system, and that might be just what we need.