Hamlet vs Laertes
Hamlet vs LaertesIn the play Hamlet by William Shakespeare two characters, Hamlet and Laertes, both seek to revenge their murdered fathers. The source of their conflict can be attributed to the differences in Laertes and Hamlets’ personalities, which directs their approaches into seeking revenge quite differently. Hamlet, with his passive and scheming approach, manages to kill his father’s murderer, King Claudius. Laertes, with his direct and forceful dedication, slays his father’s killer, Prince Hamlet. This is a definite recipe for tragedy, especially when you add into the equation the love they both had for Ophelia.
Laertes is more aggressive and fast acting than the melancholy Hamlet. Laertes actions are more physical. As a result of Laertes’ speculation, he instinctively moves to avenge Polonius’ death. “To hell, allegiance! Vows, to the blackest devil! Conscience and grace, to the profoundest pit! I dare damnation. To this point I stand, that both the worlds I give to negligence, let come what comes, only I’ll be revenged most thoroughly for my father.” Act 4 Scene 5 lines 133-137 provide insight into Laertes’ mind, displaying his desire for revenge at any cost. Fury and frustration incite Laertes’ imprudent actions. Sudden anger prompts Laertes to act spontaneously, giving little thought to the consequences of his actions.
Hamlets’ actions prove to be more passive than Laertes. The death of Hamlet’s father and the hasty, incestuous remarriage of his mother to his uncle throws Hamlet into a suicidal frame of mind in which “the uses of this world” seem to him “weary, stale, flat, and unprofitable” (1.2.132-133). Though his faith in the value of life has been destroyed by this double confrontation with death and human infidelity, he feels powerless to effect any change in this new reality. All he can do in this frustrated state is lash out with bitter satire at the evils he sees and then relapse into suicidal melancholy.
In theory, Hamlet mirrors Laertes. Laertes is what Hamlet could be if he did not spend so much time thinking things out. Hamlet had the chance to kill King Claudius when he was praying by his bedside, but he did not. Hamlet had to think too much about what the effects of killing Claudius would be. If Hamlet was rash like Laertes he would have most likely killed King Claudius when he had the chance and not given a thought to Claudius’ whereabouts thereafter. Laertes love for Ophelia and Polonius move him to act out and take revenge. “I will do it. And for that purpose I’ll anoint my sword” (4.7.139-140). Whereas Hamlets love for Gertrude and his father moves him into much depression, and further invokes his melancholy stupor. “Yet I, a dull and muddy-melted rascal, peak, like John-a-dreams, unpregnant of my cause” (3.1.570-572). Both men have a reason to avenge the deaths of their fathers, but they both have very different ways of conquering the object of their hatred.
Hamlet and Laertes differ in their ways with coping with hate, but they also differ in terms of love. Hamlet and Laertes share a different, but deep, love and concern for Ophelia. Therefore, Ophelia becomes another piece of wood that can be added to the fire of Hamlet and Laertes conflict. Laertes provides lengthy advice to Ophelia pertaining to her relationship with Hamlet. Laertes voices his concern of Hamlet’s true intentions towards Ophelia and advises her to be wary of Hamlet’s love. Laertes impresses upon Ophelia that Hamlet is a prince who, most likely, will have an arranged marriage. Hamlet’s extensive love for Ophelia resulted in grave suffering for him once his affection was rejected. His appearance decays due to the rejection of his love for Ophelia “Pale as his shirt, his knees knocking each other” (2.1.78). Once Laertes learns of the death of his sister, he is afflicted with sadness. In the same way, Hamlet is shocked and enraged over Ophelia’s demise. Both Hamlet and Laertes are so profoundly distressed at the death of Ophelia, they jump into her grave and fight each other.
Although Hamlet and Laertes despised one another, they both loved Ophelia. Hamlet was infatuated with Ophelia, which was obvious during his constant anguish over her. Laertes showed a strong brotherly love for Ophelia that was made evident in his advice to her. Laertes further displayed his love for Ophelia during her funeral when he fought with Hamlet. In the end Ophelia became just another dagger in Hamlet’s bleeding heart, which was just what Laertes wanted.
It is evident that Laertes acts where Hamlet does not. Laertes is so concerned about his formal and outward terms of honor that he cannot permit his natural feelings to rule his will. In this concern for outward honor he further dishonors himself by the false statement that he will act honorably with Hamlet. Had Laertes acted upon the honorable prompting of his conscience, he would have avoided his own death and, by allying himself with Hamlet, would have won the gratitude of the future king and all would have ended happily.
The conflict between Hamlet and Laertes runs through the entire play. The source of the conflict can be attributed to the differences in Laertes and Hamlets’ personalities. Their differences effected they way they sought revenge and how they loved Ophelia. Although Laertes took a much more direct approach than Hamlet, both however accomplished their goal, but at the ultimate price of both their lives.