Shakespeare exposes to his audience the similarities between Hamlet and Laertes in various instances throughout the play. his affinity. Â The basic reason for this is that Laertes wanted to seek revenge for his father’s death which was caused by Hamlet himself. Now Laertes knows that is was Hamlet who took the life of his father away. Ultimately, I agree with you about Hamlet being a humane character. marriage. Like Hamlet, Laertes wants to avenge his father, but does it in a much more passionate way. Claudius says that it’s because the queen loves her son and he loves the queen. Â In this play written by William Shakespeare, Laertes’ character is portrayed as a foil to the main character of Prince Hamlet. Ophelia, Hamlet is a prince who most likely will have an arranged. Also, going to court wasn’t an option because people in Denmark love Hamlet. Fortinbras does take action but unfortunately does not get to invade Denmark 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. 6. Laertes impresses upon. If Laertes was a mere peasant, comparing him to the likes of a Prince would be unparalleled. Laertes and Hamlet have much in … 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's extensive love for Ophelia resulted in grave and advices her to be wary of Hamlet's love. Laertes voices his concern of Hamlet's true intentions towards Ophelia. Laertes is one of many characters in the popular play called Hamlet. 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 … 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. 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. It’s almost as if Laertes comes back the moment Hamlet has lost his cool and subsequently acts as rage and impulse epitomized. 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. 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