... is quite pivotal because he is in many ways a parallel to Hamlet and provides the readers a strong base for comparison with Hamlet. The figure of Laertes is extremely useful in analyzing the social commentary Shakespeare is trying to make about the "morality of revenge", because he mirrors Hamlet in practically all aspects of life, and is ... duty of avenging his father's death. The one major difference between the two is their approach to and methods of avenging their respective father's deaths. Shakespeare has made Hamlet and Laertes similar in all aspects except the one crucial char...

• Word Count: 262
• Approx Pages: 1
• 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