Laertes Analysis

Laertes Analysis

1. It is likely that he and Hamlet grew up together, Hamlet calls him a 'very noble youth, suggesting they had a close friendship and mutual respect. Its an example of lost trust and poor relationships.

2. He is Hamlets foil. He is physical whereas Hamlet is verbal

   • He's acts out of love for Ophelia and duty to his father. Hamlet acts for love to his mum and duty to dad.

3. Polonius Analysis

   • He uses his daughter to better and control his relationship with other men. He isn't the only man in Shakespeare's writing to do this.
     • His manipulative tactics leave her open to Hamlets abuse. He doesn't protect his children
   • He uses Reynaldo to spy on his son. Is this to protect his son or to protect his own reputation.
   • He advises the king, its likely he did for Hamlet too.
   • Does he care more for his own reputation than the welfare of his children
   • R&G
     • They're unable of functioning independently. They're essentially one character and never act out of their own choice, it's always someone else's decision.
     • They're easy to mock as they're so incompetent. It seems harsh to kill them the way hamlet did. He is capable of killing off two of his old friends but not his murderous uncle.
     • We only fin out they're dead officially before the major death scene

4. Fortinbras

   • Hamlet and Fortinbras have similar issues. However Fortinbras distracts himself by conquering and hamlet ponders. Action and inaction. Fortinbras is the kind of man and leader Hamlet wants to be.
   • Hamlet described him as having model behaviour, admires him. Great men don't need good reason to defend their families honour. Like Laertes, he's the opposite of Hamlet, but Fortinbras is the only successful one.