... dire consequence resulting in chaos and mayhem. In Shakespeare's "Hamlet" this is very apparent through the embodiment of this exact scenario in Hamlet, Laertes, and Prince Fortinbras. All three men have lost their fathers to cold undaunting homicide and all three have been compelled to avenge their father's ... the concluding scenes, the guilty as well as the innocent become victim to treacherous death. In the case of the proud and brash Laertes he takes the exact opposite approach of Hamlet, where he neglects the necessity for analyzing his situation for enacting proper and successful ...

• Word Count: 1975
• Approx Pages: 8
• Grade Level: High School

... telling him that he would soon return to Denmark once again. Claudius began to plot a way to kill Hamlet by arranging a fight between Hamlet and Laertes. Laertes plans to put poisonous on the tip of his sword so if he cuts Hamlet it would kill him, and Claudius plans to put poison wine in ... and Horatio came across two gravediggers digging a fresh grave. Hamlet watches as the man tosses up the remaining skulls and runs and hide when he sees Laertes, Claudius and Gertrude arrive with Ophelia's coffin. When the coffin is placed in the ground, the priest refuses to say any prayers for Oph...

• Word Count: 2059
• Approx Pages: 8
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

... not lasting." It is unequivocally clear that Ophelia's brother believes Hamlet is only physically attracted to her, and that any relationship could not seriously last. Laertes points out that "Perhaps" Hamlet loves Ophelia now, but "his will is not his own" and "he himself is subject to his birth". ... choose a wife who has royal blood, regardless of whom he might actually love. Therefore Ophelia could not become Hamlet's wife. In addition, Laertes suggests that his sister should remain "chaste" as she would lose her honour if she lost her virginity to Hamlet before marriage, and she wou...

• Word Count: 1408
• Approx Pages: 6

... a goodly king." One of Hamlet's most significant themes is the one about revenge. Throughout the play there are three central plots for revenge. Hamlet vows revenge on his uncle, Claudius. Laertes vows revenge on Hamlet. Fortinbras vows revenge on King Hamlet. There is also another minor revenge plot during the play within a play where Priam seeks revenge for his father's murder ... . All three characters endure the death of their father, which shows a common bond between Hamlet, Fortinbras and Laertes. The theme of war runs alongside Hamlet's revenge plot as the army of Norway led by Fo...

• Word Count: 2360
• Approx Pages: 9
• Grade Level: High School

... children is touched upon in Hamlet, throughout the entire play. The first example of this is seen through the relationship of Polonius, Laertes, and Ophelia. Polonius offers Laertes good, fatherly advice before Laertes leaves Denmark. Polonius tells him, "Give every man thy ear, but few thy voice; / Take each man's censure, but reserve ... thy judgement." (I, iv, 68-69). He wants his son to be wise and stay clear of conflict. He suggests that Laertes should listen to others rather than interject. Polonius eventually offers his last piece of advice saying, "This above all: to thine own s...

• Word Count: 1575
• Approx Pages: 6
• Grade Level: High School

... tragic scene, where everyone is victimized in one way or another; The competition begins as trumpets, drums, swords, wine, cushions and crowds are gathered onstage. Hamlet apologizes for wronging Laertes in his madness, and Laertes superficially accepts his repentance. As the duel commences, King Claudius toasts to Hamlet with wine and secretly prepares a poisoned chalice which is meant to kill hamlet is ... Laertes fails to slay him. Hamlet begins to win the fencing match and this worries Claudius, at which point he offers Hamlet the tainted cup. Hamlet refuses to drink. Instead, Queen...

• Word Count: 1476
• Approx Pages: 6
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

... love for her seem false and childish. "A toy in my blood"- a passion without meaning or depth. This advice seems highly hypocritical, Ophelia makes Laertes aware of this - "Do not as some ungracious pastors do, Show me the steep and thorny way to heaven, Whiles like a puffed and reckless ... less sensitive and somewhat dismissive. "Affection! Pooh!" and "Think yourself a baby." Polonious" tone is patronizing, condescending and much less thoughtful than that of Laertes. Yet Ophelia vows to obey both of their advice. ""Tis in my memory locked, and you yourself shall keep the key of it" and...

• Word Count: 1730
• Approx Pages: 7
• Grade Level: High School

... certain individuals to speak rationally with. The final argument proving Hamlet's sanity during the course of the play is that after Hamlet's altercation with Laertes at Ophelia's funeral, Hamlet suddenly ceases to put on this antic disposition. During Hamlet's feigned madness, whenever he was speaking to someone ... the fact that he believes that Osric is a member of the court only because he possesses a great deal of fertile land. Immediately prior to Hamlet and Laertes engaging in their duel Hamlet, whilst speaking in a sane coherent fashion, requests: "Give me your pardon, sir. I ha...

• Word Count: 1678
• Approx Pages: 7
• Grade Level: High School

... here because later in Act 5 we see that Hamlet feels sorry that he had fought with Laertes because Laertes is in the same state of revenge for the death of his father. This shows that Hamlet and Laertes are similar in the way they associate with their families. Laertes highly respects and loves his father Polonius, so does Hamlet (Hamlet compares his father to ... after Hamlet has told her about Claudius's act of murder she still protects him; and when Laertes rushes into the king's apartment accusing him of murder, she tries to calm him down "calmly good Laertes" and later defends Clau...

• Word Count: 2226
• Approx Pages: 9
• Grade Level: High School

... to take these vengeances and point them into a direction of his liking. That is all accept one. Because Hamlet keeps to himself, and "holds thy tongue" setting him apart from Laertes and Fortinbras, Claudius is unable to manipulate the situation. One reason Hamlet is so different from the other two characters could have to do with the difference in his father ... son relationship. Polonesious and Laertes are shown to have a good relationship sharing similar views. Both of them give advice to Ophelia, telling her to stay away from Hamlet. Hamlet on the other hand most likely ... , as his...

• Word Count: 1894
• Approx Pages: 8
• Grade Level: High School

... because Claudius has just killed his mother, his love and his best friend. Throughout the play, Hamlet is often times very rude towards Ophelia. Telling Laertes, "He hath, my lord, of late made tenders of his affection to me"(I.iii.104-105), Ophelia believes their love and relationship is real, ... fall ten times treble on that cursed head. Whose wicked deed they most ingenious sense deprived thee of"(V.i.244-246), Laertes gets mad when Gertrude speaks of Hamlet at Ophelia's grave, because Laertes is so inflamed with Hamlet because he thinks Hamlet killed Ophelia. As Laert! es attacks H...

• Word Count: 1273
• Approx Pages: 5
• Grade Level: High School

... because Claudius has just killed his mother, his love and his best friend. Throughout the play, Hamlet is often times very rude towards Ophelia. Telling Laertes, "He hath, my lord, of late made tenders of his affection to me"(I.iii.104-105), Ophelia believes their love and relationship is real, ... fall ten times treble on that cursed head. Whose wicked deed they most ingenious sense deprived thee of"(V.i.244-246), Laertes gets mad when Gertrude speaks of Hamlet at Ophelia's grave, because Laertes is so inflamed with Hamlet because he thinks Hamlet killed Ophelia. As Laert! es attacks H...

• Word Count: 1274
• Approx Pages: 5
• Grade Level: High School

... tendency to be dominated and manipulated by powerful men. Ophelia is another character who is controlled, due to her lack of self-confidence and status as a woman. While Polonius and Laertes seem to have a relatively normal father-son relationship, their relationships with Ophelia seem somewhat troubling. They each assume a position of unquestionable authority over her. Prior to ... Laertes departure to England, he warns and commands Ophelia not to be involved with Hamlet. Laertes says, "Perhaps he loves you now, and now no soil nor cautel doth besmirch the virtue of his will; but you m...

• Word Count: 1456
• Approx Pages: 6
• Grade Level: High School

... king to go to heaven while his father remains in purgatory. If Hamlet were more decisive and rash and did not rationalize his every move, like Laertes, he would have surely ended the King's life right then and there. Hamlet is a person who follows up with his procrastination with new vows and ... mother's room? Is it because of his insanity or is he just incensed? Later events make us question Hamlet's sanity even more closely. His attack on Laertes at Ophelia's burial is unprovoked and impulsive. Is this assault an act of madness or just a manifestation of subconscious jealousy and his ...

• Word Count: 1991
• Approx Pages: 8
• Grade Level: High School

... by Hamlet and the King, for their own selfish reasons. She killed herself after knowledge of her fathers' death. Last to die was Laertes, it is easily seen how Laertes, in the heat of his anger could conspire to murder, though he kills Hamlet he is avenging his fathers' death, an act, with ... reference to the moral climate of the 1600's. Therefore it is overlooked. Laertes in his attempt to kill loses his life by the very poison that was to kill his enemy. Hamlet dies on a poison tipped sword, but ... youth. It is to my belief that he would have an easier time living during my time ra...

• Word Count: 1486
• Approx Pages: 6
• Grade Level: High School

... prominent male figures, giving them no chance for redemption. Giving men more power than women has run not only throughout Hamlet, but also in the threads of history. Quickly after Laertes takes his leave to France, Polonius warns Ophelia against Hamlet's amorous intentions with her. Polonius orders his daughter not to believe in Hamlet's "love-talk." He criticizes Ophelia ... very mocking. Polonius believes that Ophelia is a weak character with almost no valid opinion. He thinks Ophelia is a fool for believing in Hamlet's professions of love. Polonius, as well as Laertes, does not trus...

• Word Count: 1649
• Approx Pages: 7
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

... in the play, and the story ends on a tragic note because of the irrational events of the play. Hamlet's foolish pride and lack of skepticism about his arranged duel with Laertes is the cause of his own death. The whole final scene is in fact a representation of the events that spring from a lack of rational behavior. Shakespeare develops the theme in ... life are the center of mockery in Hamlet, Shakespeare nevertheless provides an alternate way of thinking. A straight-ahead example of this rational concern can be found in Polonius' speech to Laertes. Polonius' concern for practical mat...

• Word Count: 1742
• Approx Pages: 7
• Grade Level: High School

... died- (IVv.180-181); and also lost Hamlet's love: "Tomorrow is Saint Valentine's Day, All in morning betime, And I a maid at your window, To be your Valentine- (IVv.48-51) Laertes reacts to the news of his father's murder and his sister's depression by planning revenge against the believed cause of both, Hamlet: "And so have I a noble father lost, A sister driven ... ) His feelings intensify further when he learns of Ophelia's death and schemes together with Claudius to kill Hamlet during a fencing match. The plan succeeds. Hamlet is killed by poison on Laertes's sword. Yet, in doing so,...

• Word Count: 1437
• Approx Pages: 6
• Grade Level: High School

... conversation. Hamlet informs Gertrude of Claudius" actions and then hears Polonius eaves dropping. Hamlet kills Polonius. I chose this as the rising action because Laertes, the son of Polonius, challenges Hamlet to a dual, which is the reason for Hamlet's death. The climax of the play would be when ... . Hamlet, in my opinion, would be considered a sub-plotted play. I choose this because all the characters had unique relationships with one another. Laertes wanted to kill Hamlet. Polonius spied on Hamlet's actions. Claudius wanted to kill Hamlet. The young Prince wanted to kill his uncle....

• Word Count: 1576
• Approx Pages: 6
• Grade Level: High School

... bad deed for example, arguing or drinking. He is given the perfect set-up, yet does not take the opportunity. Over thinking his actions also gave the King and Laertes, Polonius" son, enough time to plan revenge against Hamlet. "So you shall; / And where it is, let the great axe fall. / I pray you, go ... with me," (IV, vii, __) The King and Laertes decide to have a sword fight against Hamlet, in which he will either be poisoned with the tip of Laertes" sword, or by drinking the poison in a drink that will be made for him. Hamlet's analytical characteristics cause ... may, in due course...

• Word Count: 1428
• Approx Pages: 6
• Grade Level: High School

... intent, Hamlet is simply one of the finest examples of tragic heroes. Caught between his agony of mind and indecision Hamlet's nature is neither treacherous like Claudius' nor rash like Laertes'. This combination of values carries only tragedy when one such as Hamlet suffers such a fate as he did. Prior to the apparition's prompting, Hamlet is already devoured by melancholy over ... entering Claudius' world he becomes an unwilling creature of it. One of Hamlet's biggest failings it would seem is his unwillingness to murder. He is not rash or unthinking unlike Laertes who does not even t...

• Word Count: 2354
• Approx Pages: 9
• Grade Level: High School

... being attractive. Hamlet's love for Ophelia is not as intensely displayed until he sees her laying in the grave at her funeral. When he hears Laertes voice talking about Ophelia's death he cries out, "What, the fair Ophelia!" (V.I.237). This exasperation shows that he is shocked with her ... Hamlet was, in fact, not in love with Ophelia, but pretended to love her so he could use Ophelia for personal benefit. Ophelia's brother Laertes believed this is the case. He says to Ophelia, "Then weigh what loss your honour may sustain / If with too credent ear your list ... his songs, / or lose ...

• Word Count: 1429
• Approx Pages: 6
• Grade Level: High School

... is insignificant. He realizes what his role is. Hence, he does not falter in his conviction upon his return from England, and fully embraces his role. Upon his confrontation with Laertes, he says "This is I, Hamlet the Dane" (1138, line 236)--meaning the true King of Denmark. This action by Hamlet is appropriate for someone as wronged as he was. In ... of this play, Hamlet is steadfast in his role. He has but moments to relate to Horatio his tale of escape, before he is challenged by Laertes. Hamlet is left without options, in regards to Laertes' challenge-he must defend his honor. Haml...

• Word Count: 2118
• Approx Pages: 8
• Grade Level: High School

... 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

... . Without Claudius" death, the decay that has become Denmark will never be destroyed. Gertrude and Ophelia are the only two innocents. They have no control over their lives. Polonius and Laertes control Ophelia. While Gertrude is blind to all that goes on. Both are casualties of war. Yet the readers do not feel much sympathy because they are undeveloped. We do ... to die with Hamlet. Such love leads to the conclusion; under different circumstances Hamlet would have been a noble King. Hamlet, Fortinbras, and Laertes each must avenge a father's violent murder. Yet Hamlet is the only one wh...

• Word Count: 1544
• Approx Pages: 6
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School