... act of vengeance. His putting off of the killing of Claudius leads to the death of almost all the main characters, including Polonius, Ophelia, Laertes, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern. This in turn leaves the audience feeling an unsettling sense of confusion as opposed to the satisfying sense of retribution they are ... avoid giving the audience the satisfaction they are so craving. It happens in the last scene, and in this same scene both Hamlet, Gertrude and Laertes are as well killed. This is too late and too messy an act of vengeance to provide the sense of relief found in most reveng...

• Word Count: 1503
• Approx Pages: 6
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

... honorably avenge his father's murder is to kill Claudius. Even Claudius in Act IV scene five says to Laertes (in regards to killing Hamlet) "Laertes, was your father dear to you? Or are you like the painting of sorrow, a face without a heart?" in which Laertes replies, "That drop of blood that's calm proclaims me bastard, cried cuckold to my father." These exchanges suggest ... ...

• Word Count: 1323
• Approx Pages: 5
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

... their quantity of love, make up the sum-what wilt thou do for her?" (lines 271-273) Hamlet says this after diving into Ophelia's grave with Laertes her brother and grappling, which is very wrong as Laertes, being her brother also loved her dearly. Hamlets mother, Queen Gertrude tells us that the young Prince's behavior is " mere madness" (line 287) The first ... later remarks to Rosencrantz and Guildenstern that "Hamlet in madness hath Polonius slain" (line 34) Claudius also says in Act 5 Scene 1 while by the grave of Ophelia " O" he is mad, Laertes" (line 274) In Act 5 Scene 1 the famo...

• Word Count: 2334
• Approx Pages: 9
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

... love is a negative force present in both "Hamlet" and "Sons & Lovers"; not just between Gertrude and Hamlet (mother and son), but it also is present in Act One, Scene Three. Laertes on the surface is protecting his sister from a romantic relationship with a brooding prince, however some modern audiences have interpreted this dialogue as ... Laertes not wanting his sister Ophelia to fall into the arms of Hamlet so he can have her to himself. This is because of the use of graphic language: "chaste treasure ... ...

• Word Count: 3412
• Approx Pages: 14
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

... conviction against committing crimes that might harm the hierarchical order of a state's government. His generally principled nature is shown by his refusal to gather together a mob to oust Claudius, as Laertes attempts to do later in the play, even though he knew that he had the ability to do so. The fact that he knew this is shown by the fact ... , I am poisoined") and thus her implied withdrawal of all support of Claudius. This eliminates the threat of motherly estrangement, virtually paving the way for Hamlet to kill Claudius. Also, however, Laertes informs Hamlet of his knowledge of...

• Word Count: 4590
• Approx Pages: 18
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

... as part of the reason Ophelia commits suicide. Since Hamlet kills Polonius (among doing many other things to toil with Ophelia's emotions), he is indirectly responsible. Killing Polonius also enrages Laertes, and ultimately brings the two to a fencing duel where both meet death--had Hamlet been less impulsive, the characters may have had different outcomes. After the miscalculated murder, Claudius exiles ... ...

• Word Count: 728
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

... , I am poisoined") and thus her implied withdrawal of all support of Claudius. This eliminates the threat of motherly estrangement, virtually paving the way for Hamlet to kill Claudius. Also, however, Laertes informs Hamlet of his knowledge of Claudius' treachery in the very end, as well as his distaste for Claudius, thus removing the threat of friend estrangement. Previously, as well, Hamlet ... ...

• Word Count: 2027
• Approx Pages: 8
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

... actions to avenge his father (Levy). His inability to control his emotions and paradoxically his lack of will to allow his emotions to control him culminates when the newly maladjusted Laertes exacts his revenge at the climax of the play. Poetic justice is served amongst all the players involved with Hamlet including his incestuous mother. Many critics note the Oedipal conflicts ... ...

• Word Count: 1121
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: Undergraduate