Similarity Between Hamlet And Laertes example essay topic

William Shakespeare's Hamlet is a timeless work of literary art that is still being told and re-written to this date. The complexity of Hamlet allows it to be used as the basis for many current classes and discussions. A critic explains the complexity in the statement: Hamlet is the most difficult and complex characters to be created by Shakespeare (Mackenzie). Little is known about Shakespeare's life, other than he was a great playwright. He wrote and directed many plays in his lifetime. This was his sole form of income.

Shakespeare's writing style is described in this quote from a bibliography: Shakespeare wrote plays and dialogues in such a manner as to entertain both the wealthy and the peasants (Dutton 14). Shakespeare led and eventful but short life. The conditions of 1601, the year Hamlet was written, are described in this quote on a criticism about Hamlet: Hamlet was written the same year as Shakespeare's father death, and the imprisonment of his generous patron and friend, Lord Southampton. From this year onward, the tone of Shakespeare's plays became sober, sad and bitter (Chambers 64). In William Shakespeare's Hamlet, Hamlet and Laertes share several characteristics which make them similar. They both seem to be on a mission seeking revenge on their fathers killers and have a deep, but individual love for Ophelia.

Hamlet and Laertes show little patience and seem to react before properly thinking out their reactions when distraught or infuriated. In Act 3, when Hamlet thinks that the person spying on there conversation is Cladius, Hamlet becomes very angered and tried to kill Cladius, but not thinking, he strikes Polonius instead. Laertes strong anger is evident when he finds ou that his father has been killed. He immediately assumes the person who killed his father was Claudius. Laertes anger leads him to start to plan Polonius's death, which is described in this quote after he hears the terrible news: 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 worlds I give to negligence, let come what comes, only I ll be revenged most thoroughly for my father (IV. vs. 128-134). Hamlet's when killing Polonius, and Laertes when he hears the news of this father's death, are both examples of the men's fury and unpredictable rage. Laertes and Hamlet are similar in the way that they love, and express there love for Ophelia. Although Laertes takes on a brotherly role, he gives her advice, almost warning her of Hamlet. When Laertes is leaving for France, he expresses concern for her and her relationship with Hamlet in this quote about Hamlet's love: Fear it, Ophelia, fear it, my dear sister, and keep you in the rear of your affection, out of the shot and danger of desire (I.. 34-36).

Ophelia promises to obey and not fall for Hamlet. After Laertes departure, Hamlet's deep love for Ophelia resulted in deep depression when she rejects him. Even though he is still in love with her, he gets angry and starts to despise her for rejecting him. When Laertes hears about the death of his sister, he is struck with sadness. Both men are so engaged with anger and emotion that they end up fighting at her grave.

Her death brought out the worst in both of them. Hamlet suffered greatly and showed his love for her again at the funeral, when he again fought with Laertes. Hamlet's love was more of an obsession, and Laertes was brotherly and protective. He is on the constant lookout for the well being of his sister. He lectures her about not marrying Hamlet before he departs from Francs. This quote may explain that Hamlet may have been so infatuated with Ophelia because she has some of the same traits as the queen, which connects Hamlet to his love for his mother: Although some writers, following Goethe, see in Ophelia many traits of resemblance to the Queen, perhaps just as striking are the traits contrasting with those of the Queen (Jones).

Though both men did not get along, they shared a common love, and a lot of caring for Ophelia. Hamlet and Laertes both hold a great deal of respect for there families and treat each individual family members problems with a great deal of compassion, while keeping there best interest in mind. This quote points out Hamlet's love for his father, and the tragedies that he went through: Hamlet was yet young when his mind received a shock from the death of his father, the man he most admired, the innate goodness of his heart, and the glowing warmth of his affections speak in the reverence to the memory of his father (Skottowe 6). After the death of there fathers, Hamlet and Laertes strive to seek revenge against there enemies. Both of there fathers tried to use spies to find out more about there sons. Both of the men go to seek revenge for the death of there fathers, however, they both use different methods to accomplish there deeds.

Hamlet and Laertes both admire there fathers and are even willing to kill in the act of revenge. Hamlet's passive and scheming approach manages to kill his fathers murderer. Laertes, with his direct approach, slays his father's killer, Hamlet. They both accomplish there goal, but paying the ultimate price of both their lives. Another similarity between Hamlet and Laertes and there respect for there families, is that they hold protective attitudes toward the females in there families.

Laertes gives his sister guidance with her relationship with Hamlet. Hamlet is able to persuade Gertrude that he is actually not upset and that she should follow his guidance. Hamlet tries to guide his mother to stay away from Cladius when he makes her think back on her husbands death with sorrow in these lines: Nay, but to live in the rank sweat of an en seamed bed, stewed in corruption, honeying and making love over the nasty sty- ( . iv. 93-95). The Queen understands his plea for her to stay away from Cladius and does not want to hear anymore. Laertes care and affection toward females is ultimately displayed in his speech to his sister regarding his urgent message, explaining to Ophelia why she should not marry Hamlet, while Hamlet's affection toward females is displayed in his deep concern for the well being of his mother.

Hamlet disapproves if his mothers actions and is outrages with her relationship with Cladius. Hamlet and Le artes hold strong similarities in there fierce tempers, love for Ophelia, the respect they hold for there fathers, and the domineering side they show toward females. Although adversaries, Hamlet and Laertes share several characteristics which makes them similar. Hamlet was a loving, caring prince, who was looked upon for his many positive qualities, and if he would ve lived, he would ve went on to be the most royal and faithful King of Denmark.

Although Laertes is not a main character, there are many aspects about him that make his attitude similar to Hamlet's Shakespeare wrote many plays with he in still accredited for, and Hamlet is no exception. His stories have been passed on through generations due to the complexity and the great deal of details he puts in each of his stories This quote sums up Shakespeare's Hamlet: It was not that Hamlet was Shakespeare's greatest tragedy, or most perfect work of art, it was that Hamlet brings home to us at once the sense of the soul's infinity, and the sense of doom, which not only circumscribes that infinity, but appears to be it's offspring (Bradley, A.C. ). Hamlet keeps your interest, and keeps you in suspense throughout the play. The story of Hamlet has been considered by most, one of Shakespeare's finest works of art, if not his greatest. The plot and the story line keep your attention through the entire play, never lacking a dull moment.

Bradley, A.C. What Actually Happens in the Play. Hamlet A Norton Critical Edition. Ed Cyrus Hay, New York: W.W. Norton, 1992,169-175 Chambers, E.K. Source of

Bibliography

on Shakespeare. Great Britian: University Press, Oxford 1970 Dutton, Richard.
William Shakespeare. New York: St. Martin's Press, 1989 Hoy, Cyrus.
New York: W.W. Norton, 1992 Jones, Ernest.
Tragedy and the Mind of the Infant. Ed Cyrus Hoy, New York: W.W. Norton, 1992,200-207 Mackenzie, Henry.
Criticism and the Character and the Tragedy of Hamlet. Hamlet A Norton Critical Edition Ed Cyrus Hoy, New York: W.W. Norton, 1992,150-153 Skottowe, Augustine.
The Life of Shakespeare. London: A&R Spottiswoode, 1961.