Though seeming to easily be a minor character, Laertes is of great importance within the play, Hamlet, and far over one would initially believe, because of his extensive inner conflict. He is good, loyal, and honorable, seeming to possess the best virtue of all the characters, yet he still is doomed to die together with the opposite characters, precisely due to his great virtue. As his father’s heritor, Laertes is tasked with maintaining appearances so on not shame his family. so as to stay tabs on Laertes’s behavior, Polonius sends Reynaldo to spread false rumors about Laertes so as to get his true conduct. However, despite his apparent inclination towards vice, Laertes proves to be a dutiful son and brother, returning immediately to avenge his father and support his sister. he’s overwhelmed by grief upon seeing Ophelia’s madness, marking him as someone who genuinely cares about his family. Laertes is a foil for Hamlet in this they’re both faced with the murder of their respective fathers, but whereas Hamlet broods and plots, Laertes immediately begins to exact vengeance. However, their fates are ultimately similar, with each falling dead by the other’s hand because of Claudius and Laertes’s poisoning scheme. Laertes passion for his family drives his actions ending the final scene dying for those he loved after gaining his final revenge.
Individual Discussion
In relevance the Shakespearean play “Hamlet”, over the years as interpretations of a spread of elements have changed the structures, features and also the timeless issues have remained similar in content. These timeless issues are untouched by context because the human condition and also the go after satisfaction has remained unfaltering. In relevancy context there are two major differing contexts during which the play will be viewed. These are the Elizabethan viewpoint which of today’s society. To the Elizabethan audience the playoff “Hamlet” was a text of ethical instruction whilst the context of today’s society is that “Hamlet” is that the study of the individual. This essay will outline what I learned throughout the course of “Hamlet” by referencing two main differing contexts. The Elizabethan context that conveys a subject of Christian Redemption, where God plan always prevails irrespective of what obstacles are presented, Therefore sin was punished, and virtue rewarded. My understanding of this in “Hamlet” it’s that of rationalizing of behavior before impulsive action that affirms the values of the age. this is often apparent through a spread of well-known quotes like “to be or to not be”, “Alexander died, Alexander was buried, Alexander returneth to dust.” This shows Hamlet’s journey through the Christian message. Although the character of Hamlet procrastinates it is justified by his duty to God and religion. Through the quotes of “or that the everlasting” shows his devotion to God and fails to kill.
Another example is whilst Claudius’ is praying although he fails to repent Hamlet is unable to murder him (attempting revenge) because Claudius appears to be repenting his sins. “Hamlet” is that the study of the individual and the way they try to balance internal desires and external pressures. irrespective of time/place the individual will always struggle with the balance of internal vs. external pressures. this is often also apparent in “Hamlet” because the character Hamlet is unable to kill as he contains a duty to God. “against self-slaughter”. And thus, he fails to suppress his internal desires to end it straight away. Through humanity it’s clear that there are many issues the individual face, these include suicide, duty, death, an individuality against a harsh reality. These pressures provide the characters with a mean to specific their viewpoints. with regard to the play, the characters of Polonius has suppressed his internal desires and replace it thereupon of external pressures. He tells everybody what they need to listen to as thus enables his own desires to be satisfied in an obscure manner. The quote “very very similar to a whale”, shows this and enables the audience to work out the contrast in his character. The play has remained relevant over th years because the elements of attribute have remained constant. These elements include, go after individuality, quest to grasp death, go after balance in life, pressures exerted on us both by internal and external forces. As person develop there is often a hunt for satisfaction in life, the idea that there’s something more to life than our selves. this is often also apparent within the play “Hamlet”. When an audience member dwells upon the ideas that are present within the play, like suicide, duty, illusion, death/heaven/hell, love, faith/religion that produces my personal understanding questionable by pondering these ideas and re-thinking about them later. To conclude it’s clear that throughout time the themes, structure, and relevance of the play has remained constant. The ever-changing values of the audience have changed, shifting the ideas that they convey forth thus creating new meanings. Although the play “Hamlet” will be seen in a very sort of manners it’s apparent that through the exploration of the characters and themes many new understandings have developed in my day to day life like death, duty, and reality have enabled me to perceive my previous understandings more in-depth.
