Comparing Laertes and Hamlet in Shakespeares Hamlet Essay

Comparing Laertes and Hamlet In Shakespeare’s play, Hamlet, the characters of Laertes and Hamlet both display impulsive reactions when angered. Once Laertes discovers his father has been murdered, he immediately assumes the slayer is Claudius. As a result of Laertes speculation, he instinctively moves to avenge Polonius death. To hell, allegiance! Vows, to the blackest devil! Conscience and grace, to the profoundest pit! I dare damnation: to this point I stand, that both worlds I give to negligence, let come what comes; only Ill be revenged most thoroughly for my father. Act 4 Scene 5 lines 128-134 provide insight into Laertes mind, displaying his desire for revenge at any cost. In contrast to Laertes†¦show more content†¦Laertes voices his concern of Hamlets true intentions towards Ophelia and advises her to be wary of Hamlets love. Laertes impresses upon Ophelia that Hamlet is a prince who, most likely, will have an arranged marriage. Hamlets strong love for Ophelia withers after she rejects his affinity. Hamlets extensive love for Ophelia resulted in grave suffering for Hamlet once his affection was rejected. Hamlets appearance decays due to the rejection of his love for Ophelia Pale as his shirt, his knees knocking each other (Act 2, Scene 1, line 82). The loss of Ophelias love for Hamlet causes Polonius to believe it has caused Hamlet to revert to antic disposition. Once Laertes learns of the death of his sister, he is afflicted with sadness. In the same way, Hamlet is shocked and enraged over Ophelias demise. Both Hamlet and Laertes are so profoundly distressed at the death of Ophelia, they jump into her grave and fight each other. Although Hamlet and Laertes despised one another, they both loved Ophelia. Hamlet was infatuated with Ophelia, which was obvious during his constant anguish over her(in her rejection of him, and in her death, Hamlet suffered greatly). Laertes showed a strong brotherly love for Ophelia which was made evident in his advice to her. Laertes further displayed his love for Ophelia during her funeral when he fought with Hamlet. Hamlet and Laertes areShow MoreRelatedHamlet Theme Family Essay886 Words   |  4 PagesGrace 1 Kayla Grace October 29, 2012 Unit 2: Family 797 words Hamlet: Family Relationships The theme, family, in The Tragedy of Hamlet is major theme with lots of major points. This play is notorious for how it dwells on the issue of incest. In Shakespeare’s time, incest was a sin against God and the state. Queen Elizabeth I asked the Church of England to come up with a list of rules about marriage, basically a list of relatives who couldn’t marry, including in-laws. Also another focus isRead MoreFoils Of William Shakespeare s Hamlet Essay1130 Words   |  5 Pagespersonality . A foil character often contrasts with the features of another character. 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