Hamlet, William Shakespeare, pg. 313
Laertes
And so have I a noble father lost,
A sister driven into desperate terms,
Whose worth, if praises may go back again,
Stood challenger on mount of all the age
For her perfections. But my revenge will come.
Laertes has now been placed in to same position that Hamlet is in. Both have noble fathers that have been murdered and both look to Ophelia as the epitome of virtue and goodness. When Hamlet was first placed in that position when King Claudius murdered his father he devised an intellectual plan and pretend to be mad to bring the 'mad' truth to light. Laertes on the other hand serves as Hamlet's foil in many ways. Both are intent on revenge. However, Laertes comes charging in with sword drawn ready to kill the man responsible for his father's death while Hamlet makes pretty speeches and fakes madness. Laertes is full of actions while Hamlet is full of none. Hamlet also calls himself Laertes' foil during their fencing match (a foil also being the name of the fencing weapon) saying that Hamlet (perhaps in reference to his madness) shall be the dark background or setting of Laertes who shines like a jewel or a star.
Laertes
And so have I a noble father lost,
A sister driven into desperate terms,
Whose worth, if praises may go back again,
Stood challenger on mount of all the age
For her perfections. But my revenge will come.
Laertes has now been placed in to same position that Hamlet is in. Both have noble fathers that have been murdered and both look to Ophelia as the epitome of virtue and goodness. When Hamlet was first placed in that position when King Claudius murdered his father he devised an intellectual plan and pretend to be mad to bring the 'mad' truth to light. Laertes on the other hand serves as Hamlet's foil in many ways. Both are intent on revenge. However, Laertes comes charging in with sword drawn ready to kill the man responsible for his father's death while Hamlet makes pretty speeches and fakes madness. Laertes is full of actions while Hamlet is full of none. Hamlet also calls himself Laertes' foil during their fencing match (a foil also being the name of the fencing weapon) saying that Hamlet (perhaps in reference to his madness) shall be the dark background or setting of Laertes who shines like a jewel or a star.
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