Why Is Laertes Important In Hamlet

Although appearing to be a minor character, Laertes is a character of great significance in the play, Hamlet. He is decent, loyal and noble, who possesses the highest quality of all the characters, yet he is still destined to die along with the other characters, precisely because of his great virtue. He is the son of Polonius and the brother to Ophelia who he cares deeply for. Laertes is passionate and quick to take action. On the off chance that you disturb him some way or another he will wind up making a move and nothing will get in his direction to stop him from getting revenge. In scene two, the first lines that Laertes speaks in the play are to request that king Claudius allows him to return to his duties in France. This is a very …show more content…
He wants her to know that he is not good and very unhealthy for her. This demonstrates his loyalty and love for his family especially his sister, though she replies to his warning and advice in a very sarcastic manner. As time shows she eventually goes insane from her relationship with Hamlet. After Laertes departs for France, his father Polonius meets with Reynaldo and instructs him to bring money to him. He asked him to spy on Laertes first to make sure that he stays out of trouble. While Laertes is off to France, Polonius is killed by Hamlet. Although Polonius was spying on him, Laertes was aware of his father’s difficult ways but had great love for the old man and his desire for revenge for the wrongful death of his father grew. He declared that he would repay with a vengeance on all who were his enemy. Laertes always followed loyalty, love and honor but at the death of his father his action of revenge was all he could think of. Rage was building inside him. He made a plan with Claudius to poison Hamlet during a fencing match, but before that match occurred his sister Ophelia suddenly drowns. King Claudius could no longer control Laertes rage and thinks he has become so unbalanced. He threatens a priest at his sister’s burial and then nearly strangles Hamlet while both were near Ophelia’s grave. Laertes is