Upon learning of his father’s death, Laertes feels immense grief. He immediately tries to find the one responsible for the act. He is shown full of anger and sadness at the same time, unable to control his emotions. Laertes swears to take revenge on the murderer, Hamlet.
Detailed answer:
Laertes is one of the minor characters in William Shakespeare’s Hamlet. Laertes immediately returns from France upon hearing the news of his father, Polonius’s death. Being an impulsive and passionate person, he swears to avenge his passing. Shortly after, he gathers a mob of people and storms Claudius’s castle, thinking the man is responsible for the murder. After learning that the king is not the killer, he vows to destroy the culprit as soon as possible.
Throughout the play, Laertes often acts brash and impulsive. After his father’s death, he feels angry and frustrated. He is determined to avenge his father no matter what. His emotions are best shown in Act 4 Scene 5, where he first learns the circumstances of the passing:
To hell, allegiance! vows, to the blackest devil!
Conscience and grace, to the profoundest pit!
I dare damnation.
This passage shows that the character does not care if he hurts himself or others in his vengeance. Laertes is ready to do everything to find the one responsible for the murder of his father. Afterward, the young man learns that the one responsible is the titular character of the play, Hamlet. He swears revenge upon him.
In achieving his goals, Laertes resorts to using treachery and underhanded tactics, such as a poisoned sword. This action tells the reader that the man feels desperate to achieve his goals.
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