All of a sudden it’s foils?
Laertes’ weapons are rapier and dagger but here we have foils?
What is the sub-narrative here with these weapons?
Is it that Laertes prefers to fight with rapier and dagger but he’s given over to foils for this friendly duel?
I mean, certainly foils are a less threatening weapon. But they’re also less exciting. Is the fight really going to be with broad swords but Hamlet’s making a joke, calling them foils?
There’s a whole story below of weaponry and I’m missing a lot if it. I’d wager most of us are.
The Hamlet Project 