Laertes
Son of PoloniusOphelia's brother, who seeks revenge against Hamlet for his father's death.
Laertes Character Analysis Summary
Laertes serves as Hamlet's most direct foil, representing decisive action in contrast to Hamlet's contemplative hesitation. Both are young men seeking revenge for murdered fathers, but where Hamlet delays and philosophizes, Laertes acts swiftly and decisively, highlighting the different approaches to honor and vengeance.
Unlike Hamlet's careful consideration of moral implications, Laertes embodies the Renaissance ideal of immediate action to restore family honor. His willingness to 'dare damnation' and cut Hamlet's throat in a church demonstrates his prioritization of revenge over moral or religious considerations.
Laertes' relationship with Ophelia reveals his protective, caring nature as an older brother. His warnings about Hamlet's intentions and his genuine concern for her virtue and reputation show a more tender side of his character, contrasting with his later violent pursuit of revenge.
Despite his decisive nature, Laertes becomes a pawn in Claudius's schemes. His grief and anger over his father's death and sister's madness make him vulnerable to the king's manipulation, showing how even strong-willed characters can be used by more cunning political operators.
Laertes is deeply concerned with family honor and social reputation, representing traditional aristocratic values. His demand for proper funeral rites for his father and his outrage at the secret burial reflect his commitment to social conventions and public recognition of worth.
Laertes' willingness to use poisoned weapons in the final duel represents his moral corruption through the pursuit of revenge. His agreement to Claudius's dishonorable plot shows how the desire for vengeance can compromise one's ethical principles and lead to self-destruction.
Like Hamlet, Laertes experiences profound loss - his father murdered and his sister driven to madness and death. His grief is more externalized and explosive than Hamlet's internalized melancholy, providing a different model of how young men respond to family tragedy.
In his final moments, Laertes achieves a form of redemption by confessing the plot against Hamlet and asking for forgiveness. His recognition of their shared victimhood ('We are but fortune's fools') and his final reconciliation with Hamlet restore his honor even as he dies.
Laertes represents the tragic waste of young life in political conflicts. His transformation from a promising young courtier to a tool of revenge illustrates how the corrupt adult world destroys the next generation, making him both perpetrator and victim of the play's tragic cycle.
Famous Quotes & Analysis
"To hell, allegiance! Vows, to the blackest devil! Conscience and grace, to the profoundest pit!"
— Act IV, Scene V
Analysis: Laertes' passionate rejection of moral constraints reveals his complete commitment to revenge. The religious imagery and alliteration create a sense of desperate fury, showing how grief can drive even honorable men to abandon their principles.
"I dare damnation. To this point I stand, that both the worlds I give to negligence, let come what comes."
— Act IV, Scene V
Analysis: This declaration shows Laertes' willingness to sacrifice both earthly life and eternal salvation for revenge. The phrase "both the worlds" encompasses temporal and spiritual realms, emphasizing the totality of his commitment to vengeance.
"Exchange forgiveness with me, noble Hamlet. Mine and my father's death come not upon thee, nor thine on me!"
— Act V, Scene II
Analysis: Laertes' dying words seek mutual absolution, recognizing both he and Hamlet as victims of larger forces. The formal, ceremonial language transforms their final moments from mere death scene into a ritual of reconciliation and shared understanding.
"But my revenge will come."
— Act IV, Scene VII
Analysis: This simple, declarative statement contrasts sharply with Hamlet's complex soliloquies about revenge. Laertes' certainty and brevity emphasize his decisive nature and create dramatic tension through the inevitability of the coming confrontation.
"The king, the king's to blame."
— Act V, Scene II
Analysis: Laertes' final accusation against Claudius reveals his recognition of how he was manipulated. The repetition emphasizes his urgent need to expose the truth before death, transforming him from Claudius's tool into his accuser.