Laertes is the son of Polonius and brother of Ophelia. For the majority of the play, he is off in France studying with an expert swordsman. However, when he hears of his father’s death, he storms back to Denmark to exact revenge upon his father’s murderer, even though he is not overly emotional or distraught like his sister, Ophelia. Laertes is a foil for Hamlet, due to his rash decision-making and immediate action. In contrast, Hamlet is largely contemplative and delays his revenge because he is unsure of the truth. Additionally, many similarities can be drawn in the character development of both Hamlet and Laertes. Both have their fathers murdered, and lose people who are very close to them over the course of the play, though, Laertes’ passion ultimately forces him to let loose a lot faster than the agonised, grieving Hamlet. Laertes’ final revenge plot to kill Hamlet is greatly instigated by Claudius, who encourages him to use similar poisonous techniques that caused the murder of King Hamlet in the first place. In the end, Laertes dies trying to avenge his father’s death and protect the family name.
