Laertes In Hamlet

Words: 946
Pages: 4
Open Document
Hamlet is one of Shakespeare’s most popular play; many critics claim it to be his most respected piece. Every character and setting is well-developed and has an important role in furthering the plot. Hamlet, specifically, is well-developed with Laertes as a foil within the play. A literary foil is a character whose traits enhance certain traits, or the lack of a trait, for another character. For instance, one character may exhibit a calm demeanor, which then enhances our knowledge of another character’s lack of composure. In Hamlet, Laertes is a foil to Hamlet because his characteristics enhance the traits that Hamlet portrays. Laertes is the son of the the King’s chief counselor and grew up in the castle alongside Hamlet. Although the …show more content…
Laertes cares passionately for his sister, Ophelia. After Ophelia’s death, he claims, “Hold off the earth awhile, / Till I have caught her once more in mine arms" (5.1.261-262), before jumping into the grave made for her. He does not hide his feelings in any way, which contrasts starkly to the way Hamlet loves his mother. While Laertes openly loves his sister, Hamlet chooses to brood inwardly. He is very concerned with his mother having sex with another man than his deceased man, saying while by himself, “With such dexterity to incestuous sheets! /It is not nor it cannot come to good. /But break, my heart; for I must hold my tongue” (1.2. 158-160). Although Hamlet does not want his mother interacting with other men, he rarely voices his concerns. When comparing the way Laertes and Hamlet love, Hamlet’s inner love is only accented by Laertes’s outward love. The concept of love is often contemplated by readers and critics alike; many apply the Oedipus Complex to the two characters. The Oedipus Complex applies to characters who have a secret sexual desire for their parents or other family members. Close analyzation of quotes and actions reveal that the two men may have more feelings than they are letting on. Often, Laertes and Hamlet seem to treat their sister and mother, respectively, like lovers rather than family members. Although Shakespeare never revealed the men’s true feelings, many critics believe in the Oedipus
Show More

Related Documents: Laertes In Hamlet

Hamlet And Laertes Compare And Contrast

treated to the uncanny resemblance between foes. Few characters in literary history have served the roles of opposing foils quite as well as Shakespeare’s Hamlet and Laertes, in the play Hamlet. Despite the unyielding animosity between Hamlet and Laertes, their underlying similarities classify them as nearly parallel characters. Hamlet and Laertes both posses a powerful nature of love for Ophelia, an innocent and sweet teenage girl. Furthermore, both characters also reveal the distrust and lack of…

Words 1396 - Pages 6

Hamlet Laertes And Fortinbras Analysis

“Hamlet” by William Shakespeare is one of the most known plays in Literature. Shakespeare wrote about many themes and had very unique characters to tell us about how people are. One of the most important themes in “Hamlet” is probably the need to seek out revenge and how you accomplished that need. Shakespeare shows us this through the actions of the characters of Hamlet, Laertes, and Fortinbras because every single one of them wants to get revenge for the murder of their father. Even though their…

Words 996 - Pages 4

Similarities Between Hamlet And Laertes

the ordinary. Hamlet and Laertes have always been compared and have similarities and differences, some more clear than others. It may seam that these men have nothing in common. Hamlet the son of a dead king and Laertes is the song of Polonius who’s Hamlets uncle. They are in completely different rankings in society. But a similarity that I don’t think people take time to notice is that they both went crazy after their fathers died. Both took it with great anguish. Yes, Laertes took a different…

Words 1613 - Pages 7

Hamlet - the Importance of Laertes and Fortinbras in Hamlet Essay

The Shakespearean play, Hamlet, is a story of revenge and the way the characters in the play respond to grief and the demands of loyalty. The importance of Fortinbras and Laertes in the play is an issue much discussed, analysed and critiqued. Fortinbras and Laertes are parallel characters to Hamlet, and they provide pivotal points on which to compare the actions and emotions of Hamlet throughout the play. They are also important in Hamlet as they are imperative to the plot of the play and the final…

Words 1309 - Pages 6

The Similarities Between Hamlet And Laertes

No two people are alike. This is clearly evident in the play Hamlet by William Shakespeare where no two people are similar, even if they have a lot of similarities there will always be a few differences. Hamlet and Laertes have the same amount of similarities as they do differences; their fathers were murdered, both took revenge of their father’s killer, and both protected Ophelia. To begin with, both Hamlet and Laertes had their fathers killed in the play; however, they both had different relationships…

Words 1280 - Pages 6

Hamlet And Laertes Character Analysis

its just a friendly sword duel between Hamlet and Laertes. However in reality he has planned to kill Hamlet in this duel. In this scene Claudius first befriends Laertes to lower his guard. Then he questions if Laertes truly loved his father, which is playing with his emotions. Claudius then sweet talks Laertes about his skills as a swordsman and uses him to kill Hamlet in a duel. To a large group of people, Claudius pretends to be very happy to hear that Hamlet is feeling better and is excited for…

Words 115 - Pages 1

Compare And Contrast Hamlet And Laertes

Hamlet and Laertes approach their search for revenge differently. Hamlet is skeptical because he receives the news of his father's death from a ghost who supposedly looks like King Hamlet. He wants Claudius to confess his sins but does withhold from killing Claudius when he believes that Claudius repents. Unlike Hamlet who took the time to think about murdering Claudius, Laertes did question whether or not to kill Hamlet at first.…

Words 71 - Pages 1

Hamlet: Hamlet and Laertes Good Lesson Essay

1 scene 3, Laertes and Ophelia have a heart to heart. At first Laertes starts telling Ophelia to write to him when he leaves, then, when she agrees to do so he breaks into the big brother scene by talking about Hamlet, it is very clear that he does not think highly of the Prince. Laertes calls Hamlets “favor” to Ophelia “trifling” and he also reminds her that Hamlets love for her is like a violet, early to appear in the spring, but also early to die. He wants to contrast that Hamlets temporary “favor”…

Words 387 - Pages 2

Personal Narrative: My Father, Laertes And Hamlet

bottle of unopened wine, ready to be opened by a court screw. My Father, Laertes and Hamlet are major factor in my life that give me so much emotion that I myself cannot contain. My life is full of men who believe to be helping my life in a better way but do not know that I have feeling. My father is someone who I truly love and have full respect for but he doesn’t realize that he so caught up in trying to prove that hamlet is insane, my father uses me like a checker piece that he can just move me…

Words 542 - Pages 3

Why Does Laertes Get Revenge In Hamlet Essay

different ways. Laertes wants to get revenge on Hamlet for killing his dad, Polonius. Not only did his dad die, but Polonius’ death made Ophelia go crazy. She fell in a pond and was too crazy to try to save herself so she just started singing and died. This makes Laertes want revenge even more. He immediately acts out of anger on the revenge he wants. He doesn’t stop and think about what he’s doing. He brought poison when he returned to get revenge. He plans with King Claudius to kill Hamlet. They will…

Words 1759 - Pages 8