... by the deaths of their fathers, and affected by each of their own moral capacities; therefore, highlighting each other's characteristics throughout the play. Caught in the spur of the moment, Hamlet murders Polonius and causes an outbreak of emotions in Denmark. King Claudius is told by a messenger that "The rabble call [Laertes] "lord" and-as the world were ... and my father's death come not upon thee, nor thine on me" (Act V, Scene II) and ultimately accepts his guilt in the chain of murders. Hamlet responds saying, "Heaven make thee free of it. I follow thee," (Act V, Scene II) accep...

• Word Count: 699
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

... 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 even placed into similar circumstances as Hamlet, namely having the 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 characteristic mentioned earlier, so that the reader can attribute any dissimila...

• Word Count: 262
• Approx Pages: 1
• Grade Level: Undergraduate