Laertes And Hamlet Comparison Essay

Both men have had much in common with each other since the beginning because their family conflicts expanded significantly; the same emotions were triggered and provoked them to plot similar actions. As expected, Hamlet and Laertes are second generation sons who are future prominent leaders, but their fathers are in the way from achieving such expectations. Both of them battle the same issue of family troubles as their fathers constantly hold them back by keeping them under surveillance. With Laertes, Polonius is drastically overprotective of his kids, especially towards his son. He tends to be secretive about his supervision due to the fact that he only confides with certain characters and never shares his plot to any suspects. He confides in his …show more content…
Instead, he sends his servant as a ‘visitor’ to secretly spy how his son’s character outside of home. Although Polonius intends this to be acts of care, it ultimately drives a wedge in his family as it demonstrates a lack of integrity. Even though Laertes doesn’t immediately catch onto his father’s true character, Hamlet grasps onto his stepfather’s plans early on. While Claudius becomes suspicious of Hamlet’s behavior and motives, he sends two of Hamlet’s so-called ‘friends’ to spy on him while he’s away. He tells Rosencrantz and Guildenstern “delay it not, I’ll have him hence to-night. Away, for everything is seal’d and done” (3.4.55-56). Claudius demonstrates to the Queen that he does this for the benefit of his son and for protection. Privately, he only becomes overprotective of Hamlet not because he cares about his stepson, but more so fearing his reputation being ruined. Hamlet has already caught onto his stepfather’s actions, and judging his attitude, he’s more than prepared to dispose of Claudius. Without hesitation, Claudius sends Hamlet to England for his death to approach and for his reign as king to