Shakespeare's Hamlet and Laertes Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Shakespeares Hamlet and Laertes - Essay ExampleBoth are then(prenominal) in the same position- their fathers have been murdered by people in high positions and it be dos their duty to visit their finish. This parallel is however valid only up to a limited extent. The motives behind the two murders differ, as do the means adopted for taking revenge by these two char defenders.Though the idea of avenging his fathers death continues to reside at the back of Hamlets mind throughout the play, yet his path is devil with obstacles. In this context, Shakespeares stress seems to be more on the intellectual obstacles then the merely physical ones. First and foremost he had to ascertain whether the Ghost that met him in the beginning of the play is what it claims to be, or a dissembling spirit from hell, which had come to work his damnation. This dilemma of Hamlet is best expressed in his soliloquy at the end of transaction IIBesides it takes Hamlet a considerable amount of time to adjust the notion of occult revenge with his already accepted view that a benevolent God rules the world and reserves the penalty to Himself.On the contrary, when Laertes comes to know of his fathers death, he immediately resolves to avenge Polonius death and exhibits no scruples or qualms somewhat his impetuous decision, taken in haste. The world of Laertes is not of deliberation and contemplation, but is a world beset with action and anger. Unlike Hamlet, he is not prone to pangs of conscience, nor is he hesitant about committing grave mistakes by succumbing to his passions. Such an impulsive mindset of Laertes is deftly expressed in his speech in Act IV, view vTo hell, Allegiance Vows, to the blackest devilConscience and grace, to the profoundest pitI dare damnation. To this point I stand,That both the worlds I give to negligence,Let come what comes only Ill be revengdMost thoroughly for my father. Hamlets very act of chiding Laertes during the burial of Ophelia is indicative of hi s in the flesh(predicate) growth and maturity, in contrast to Laertes impetuosity. This attribute of Hamlet gets compound magnified after his unambiguous confession of the intensity of his feelings for Ophelia.I loved Ophelia forty thousand brothersCould not, with all their mensuration of love,Make up my sum.Laertes acts as a foil for Hamlet, which highlights the fact that Hamlet had succeeded in developing a deep sense of control and restraint over his passions and had successfully nurtured an ability to bear gracefully with his personal grief, a quality pathetically lacked by Laertes. The same sense of poise and restraint is exhibited by Hamlet, when he is provoked by Laertes scathing words and actions. This utmost restraint of Hamlet in the face of Laertes incitation becomes clear when he saysThou prayst not well.I prithee take thy fingers from my throatFor, though I am not splenitive and