What would be lost if Fortinbras were edited out of the play?Shakespeare's Hamlet

Unquestionably, the omission of the character Fortinbras
from Shakespeare's Hamlet would greatly affect the development of
Hamlet himself as a character. Much like Sydney Carton of Dickens's A Tale of
Two Cities, who upon observing the sterling character of Charles Darnay,
perceives in this man the idealism which he himself has lost to his dissipation, Hamlet,
too, watches and listens to the noble and "tender
prince," Fortinbras,

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Whose spirit, with divine ambition
puffed,

Makes mouths at the invisible event.
(5.4.48-49)

and perceives in
him an integrity of soul that he has set aside.  Thus, like Carton who is moved to noble
action by recognizing in Darnay what he could have been, so, too, is Hamlet inspired by
Fortinbras, who, in the name of honor, is ready to avenge his father's death "Even for
an eggshell" (5.4.53).

As a foil to Hamlet, Fortinbras acts
as the catalyst to action for the prince of Denmark, inspiring Hamlet with his integrity
and sense of honor to put aside his self-debate and charades with others.  And, as such
a representative of integrity, it is only fitting that while Hamlet dies he should
bequeath the kingdom of Denmark, which he has cured of its "rottenness," to Fortinbras,
whose very name suggests good fortune.  Without doubt, Fortinbras plays a key role in
the psychological development of Hamlet and the motif of Play-acting versus
Genuineness.