Grief for a Fathers Death Hamlets vs. Laertes Essay

In Shakespeares Hamlet, Laertes and Hamlet both lose a father by unnatural and sudden death. The unnatural death of the father is brought on by someone close to the son. When Laertes discovers that his father is dead, he is outraged. When Hamlet learns from the ghost of his fathers murder, he weeps, and promises action, though he delivers none. Both Laertes and Hamlet grieve deeply for their fathers, but Laertes acts upon this grief while Hamlet carefully plots his revenge and waits for the perfect moment to avenge King Hamlet. Laertes unplanned action causes his death by his own sword, while Hamlets apparent inaction finally gets him the revenge that Laertes has attempted. Though Laertes grief at his fathers death causes his†¦show more content†¦When Laertes learns that Hamlet has killed his father, he immediately goes along with the kings plan to kill Hamlet. Laertes agrees to be ruled by the King so that Hamlet shall not choose but fall; / And for his death no wind i f blame shall breathe, / But even his mother shallÂ…call it accident (4.7. 69, 65-68). Laertes has lost all form of conscience because of his anger towards Hamlet, he even wants to cut [Hamlets] throat i the church which is a grave offense that would surely send Laertes to Hell (4.7.127). Hamlet, on the other hand, spends much of his time plotting how he will gain his revenge. He has heard / That guilty creatures sitting at a playÂ…have proclaimed their malefactionsÂ…/ Before mine uncle, Ill observe his looksÂ…If ‘a do blench, / I know my course (2.2.589-90, 593, 597.598-9). Hamlet chooses to show the King a play, very like that of Claudius own murderous deed, in order to cause a reaction. When the King rises unexpectedly, Hamlet gains some evidence of the Kings guilt, beyond the word of a ghost. Laertes and Hamlet each set out to avenge the deaths of their fathers, but they end up committing far worse crimes than those crimes that they were punishing. When La ertes and Claudius invite Hamlet to a duel, they intend To cut his throat i the churchÂ…[and] Requite him for [Laertes] father (4.7.127, 140). Because the King is afraidShow MoreRelatedHamlet Socratic Circle Essay1225 Words   |  5 Pagesbetween action and inaction? Why doesn’t Hamlet just kill Claudius? Is he a just man who needs assurance beyond a doubt of Claudius’ guilt? Is he unable to take action because the opportunity never presents itself? Is he simply a coward? What are Hamlet’s true motivations for even pursuing the murder of Claudius? Is it Fear? Revenge? Love? Loyalty/Obligation? No, Hamlet did not really go crazy From the very beginning of the play, Hamlet retains his sanity, but at times he must exhibit insanity inRead MoreWilliam Shakespeare s Hamlet - Hamlet1083 Words   |  5 Pagesintelligent, stricken with grief at the death of his father, Hamlet Senior. Son of Hamlet Sr and Gertrude. Disgusted by his mother’s marriage to his uncle, Claudius. He is profoundly reflective, but at times acts rashly (likely the result of the rage and grief that consumes him thanks to the circumstances). Has a desire to bring justice to those that have done him wrong. Claudius (Antagonist): Hamlet’s uncle and stepfather. Marries Queen Gertrude after murdering his brother, to Hamlet’s disgust. Hungry forRead MoreHamlet V. Claudius Essays1181 Words   |  5 PagesHamlet vs. Claudius: A Fight to Remember In the literary classic, Hamlet by William Shakespeare, controversy meets corruption. The monarch of Denmark, King Hamlet, is murdered by his jealous brother, Claudius. While the son of the king, Prince Hamlet, is away at school, Claudius seizes the throne and marries the adulterous Queen Gertrude. Hamlet returns to Denmark finding his father dead, his mother remarried, and his uncle the king. Grief succumbs Hamlet and his only relief is from theRead MoreAPPEARANCE vs. REALITY IN THE PRINCE AND HAMLET1614 Words   |  7 PagesReality and appearances, or if you prefer, being and acting, are important themes for both Machiavelli and Shakespeare. Why? How do their perspectives on this subject agree or differ? APPEARANCE vs. REALITY IN THE PRINCE AND HAMLET One of the most fundamental questions in philosophy is the appearance vs. reality. We find ourselves asking the question of what is genuinely real, and what is viewed merely as just an appearance, and not real? It becomes difficult when we assume there is a differenceRead MoreWilliam Shakespeare s Hamlet - Sanity Vs. Insanity1742 Words   |  7 PagesWesley Ray Elliott December 7th, 2015 Honors English IV Mrs. Joyner Sanity VS. Insanity â€Å"Hamlet represents the mid period of the growth of Shakespeare s genius, when comedy and history ceased to be adequate for the expression of his deeper thoughts and sadder feelings about life, and when he was entering upon his great series of tragic writings† (The World s Best Essays from the Earliest Period to the Present Time). Hamlet’s actions are entirely too extreme for him to be faking his insanity. Hamlet