his affinity. Hamlet's extensive love for Ophelia resulted in grave It is known to the reader that Hamlet and Laertes are both sons of royalty, Hamlet being the son of the former true king of Denmark, King Hamlet, and Laertes being the son of the trusted counselor to the king, Polonius. To this, King Claudius replies “Why, now you speak/ Like a good child”(4.5.143), and though he finishes the statement with “and a gentleman”, the implication is left that Laertes is like a child, rushing headlong into the unknown, the first implication of Laertes’ own tragic flaw. It’s almost as if Laertes comes back the moment Hamlet has lost his cool and subsequently acts as rage and impulse epitomized. A character used in that way is a device known as a foil, so in literary terms, we say that Laertes is a foil to Hamlet. Also, going to court wasn’t an option because people in Denmark love Hamlet. Like Hamlet, Laertes wants to avenge his father, but does it in a much more passionate way. Laertes serves as a foil for Hamlet in that they are both faced with the murder of their respective fathers, but whereas Hamlet broods and plots, Laertes immediately begins to … Ophelia, Hamlet is a prince who most likely will have an arranged. Â The basic reason for this is that Laertes wanted to seek revenge for his father’s death which was caused by Hamlet himself. Ultimately, I agree with you about Hamlet being a humane character. Laertes is one of many characters in the popular play called Hamlet. A foil is a character whose traits are opposite of those of another character and who thus points out to the reader the strengths and weaknesses of another character. Â In this play written by William Shakespeare, Laertes’ character is portrayed as a foil to the main character of Prince Hamlet. Claudius says that it’s because the queen loves her son and he loves the queen. Upon hearing about his father’s death, Hamlet procrastinates and doesn’t do anything in order to take revenge as he spends too much time debating whether or not Claudius was responsible for the murder. Laertes sees things in black and white, and so, when Hamlet seduces Ophelia (Laertes' sister), causing her to fall in love with him, Laertes exudes a sense of discomfort, angered by the way his sister is being treated. Hamlet is humane, yet frustrating, in the treatment of his vengeance and other pertinent situations in the tragedy. marriage. Laertes impresses upon. Laertes and Hamlet have much in … By giving Laertes the same problem, to which he makes the exact opposite response, Shakespeare is able to make comparisons, and thus highlight the response of Hamlet in even greater depth. Hamlet's strong love for Ophelia withers after she rejects. If Laertes was a mere peasant, comparing him to the likes of a Prince would be unparalleled. 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