What Does It Mean To Say About The Ending Of Hamlet

674 Words2 Pages

The ending of Hamlet was definitely very tragic, but it was also very shocking. Right off in the beginning of the final scene, Hamlet says that sometimes it is good to be rash when “deep plots do pall” (V, ii, 9). I thought this was an interesting statement. During the play, Hamlet’s actions were always very well planned. He didn’t kill Claudius right away. Instead, he thought it through and worked out a plan to find out if he was guilty. Hamlet rarely acted rashly. This statement seems to show how Hamlet has transformed throughout the play. He has gone from someone who is very meticulous in planning to someone who is unpredictable. Maybe, by acting rashly, he will be able to kill Claudius. Hamlet was not about to kill Claudius when his plans were well thought out. It seems like by acting rashly, he was able to accomplish his goal, but he did end up getting himself killed too. Furthermore, Hamlet didn’t seem …show more content…

He did not try to help her in anyway. He just said it was too late. If he actually cared about her, he would do anything to try to save her. Claudius would call the doctor in and try to get him to save her. The fact that Claudius doesn’t act to save Gertrude shows he doesn’t care about her at all. He just married her for the throne and nothing else. On top of that, I was shocked to see that Laertes was hesitant in killing Hamlet. He said, “And yet it is almost against my conscience” (V, ii, 324). Laertes’s reluctance to kill Hamlet makes him seem like a more moral character than Hamlet. Laertes hasn’t done anything wrong in the play that we know of. All we know is that his dad was worried about his and he sent someone to spy on him. This is quite a contrast to Hamlet who directly killed three people. By having Laertes say this line, it made me like his character more. However, in the end, he still ends up killing Hamlet, which makes me

Show More
Related

  • Laertes, Claudius, and Fortinbras as Foils of Hamlet

    807 Words  | 2 Pages

    A major difference between Laertes and Hamlet is that Laertes didn't procrastinate in his attempt at revenge. He went right to it with the encouragement of Claudius. His hastiness is what gets him killed in the end. Because Laertes doesn't think long about getting his revenge gives the reader reason to compare Laertes to and think about Hamlets' struggle to decide weather [H-50] revenge is the right thing to do. [SS -1] He contemplates through the whole play on weather  [H-50] to kill Claudius or not, leaving the reader with the sense that Hamlet is very careful when making decisions. [Doesn't this point deserve more discussion?

    Read More

  • Laertes and Polonius as Foils to Hamlet

    901 Words  | 2 Pages

    One of the foils important to the play is Laertes.  Although Laertes does not appear  often in the play, he brings much to the plot and to Hamlet's character. These two are similar in many ways. They both seem to be about the same age, are well educated, and gentleman. One main thing that they have in common is they both are seeking revenge for their father's deaths. Both of their fathers were unnecessarily killed. Hamlet's father was killed by his father's brother for the crown and his wife, and Hamlet killed Laertes' father over mistaken identity. It was the revenge of these two that made up the plot of the story. Because of Laertes, the two could finally fulfill their revenge in the battle at the end that killed both Hamlet and the new king. If Laertes had not challenged Hamlet, the king would have died by some other way; however, the king died by poisoning just as he had killed his brother.

    Read More

  • King Claudius Greed Quotes

    564 Words  | 2 Pages

    Claudius uses Laertes to do his dirty work. Claudius is basically working behind the scene of this murder. He wants Hamlet dead because he feels Hamlet coming on to him. Claudius says, “Oh for two special reasons.”(Shakespeare4.7.9-24) Claudius wants Laertes to kill Hamlet. He knows that he really can’t punish Hamlet or put him away because of Gertrude and his royal standards. He didn’t want to hurt Gertrude any type of way because he loves her unconditionally. He also couldn’t punish him because Hamlet is in a public court and all the people love him and that would look bad for Claudius because everything would fall on him and the people will hate him for it. Claudius is a snake in the grass and waiting for his prey to come along so he can

    Read More

  • Laertes in the Play and Movie Version of Hamlet

    876 Words  | 2 Pages

    As presented in the movie, Laertes is a sore loser. The text version of the play has Laertes simply say "No" after Hamlet scores his first hit. In the movie, Laertes shows much more emotion. His anger at Hamlet is obvious, and his frustration at being hit is evident, as he screams in protest to the mediator's call. Then, to show what a poor sport he is, he lunges at Hamlet when Hamlet turns his back to Laertes. Laertes didn't have enough courage or faith in his own fighting ability to take a fair shot at Hamlet and succeed. After the second hit, Laertes demonstrates much the same emotions, screaming in frustration and anger. In the text of the play, Laertes agrees with Claudius to fight Hamlet and use poison on his blade to kill him. As presented in the text, Laertes killing Hamlet will be enough for his revenge. However, in the movie, it is obvious through his actions and mannerisms that it is not enough for Laertes to merely kill Hamlet, but he has to make Hamlet look like a fool while he is doing it. That is why Laertes becomes so upset in the movie when Hamlet gains a hit; Laertes wanted to discredit Hamlet before he killed him.

    Read More

  • What Are The Similarities Between Hamlet And Laertes

    813 Words  | 2 Pages

    Basically Hamlet's character is going through a tough time, he’s upset, disgusted, depressed, moody, and also indecisive.Laertes foils Hamlet’s character. He is the son of Polonius and the brother to Ophelia. He is described as a passionate and a quick of action person. The most important thing about him is that he is a doer not a thinker. Being quick on his feet to problems is what got him killed. Laertes warns his loving sister about Hamlet but also boys in general “ My bags are already on board. Farewell, my sister. Please write often. As for Hamlet, and his attentions to you, Do not take them to seriously. They are like violets in the spring, Fast-blooming and sweet, but not long-lasting” ( Act I, Scene 3). The beginning of the play he leaves Denmark and goes to France. Due to the killing of Ophelia and Polonius he returns back and seeks revenge. Claudius and Laertes team up and plot to kill Hamlet.Hamlet and Laertes has a lot of similarities and differences. They are different because Hamlet gets forced to be sent away while Laertes wanted to get sent away. Hamlet is more of a responsible person while Laertes is more bold and reckless. Laertes provide contrast to Hamlet's character. They are similar in multiple ways starting with the love they had for

    Read More

  • Hamlet

    529 Words  | 2 Pages

    Hamlet Compare and contrast between Hamlet and Laertes William Shakespeare’s “Hamlet” is known as the best tragedy play of all times. Each one of the characters has their own unique personality, but some of them are very alike. Hamlet, the main character, and Laertes, one of the other leading roles, are very much alike but at the same time slightly different. Their experiences collide and they both make some decisions, which change their lives forever. Hamlet and Laertes both display impulsive reactions when angered.

    Read More

  • Bad Decision-Making in Hamlet

    635 Words  | 2 Pages

    Laertes’ main decision in Hamlet was how to seek revenge on Prince Hamlet for killing Polonius. There are seven steps to the decision-making process. First, Laertes had to identify the decision that had to be made. Laertes did follow this step by looking for a solution of his father’s death. Next, Laertes should have gathered information relevant to his situation. Instead of this step, Laertes automatically assumed that he had to kill someone without knowing what really happened to Polonius. Then, Laertes should have identified his alternatives of the decision. Laertes did not explore alternative in the play. He immediately met with the king and decided to kill Prince Hamlet without looking at different ways to approach the situation. After exploring alternatives, Laertes should have weighed the evidence of the situation. The only evidence that Laertes had was the king’s word that Hamlet...

    Read More

  • Free Hamlet Essays: Talk and Action in Hamlet

    717 Words  | 2 Pages

    Laertes, on the other hand, was quite the opposite. He was all action and no talk. A very headstrong character, he was rash and let his emotions make his decisions for him. an example of this is when he finds out about his father's death, he immediately assumes it was Claudius and enters the castle by force, fully intending on killing him. This is what Hamlet needs to be like, but only in moderation. Sometimes, when the time calls for it, you must act on instinct, without having to think it through for a couple of days. Hamlet didn't want to be brash and end up getting killed like Laertes did, but then again, Laertes did avenge his father's death a lot faster than Hamlet did. And in spite of all the thinking and planning, Hamlet still ended up the same way that Laertes did.

    Read More

  • How Does Hamlet Try To Kill Claudius

    1190 Words  | 3 Pages

    Laertes is looking to seek revenge on Hamlet for killing his father and eventually his sister later in the play. "I dare damnation. To this point I stand, that both the worlds I give to negligence, let come what comes, only I 'll be reveng 'd Most throughly for my father." (4.5.132-135). Laertes is very different in the way he is going about seeking revenge, he is willing to kill any and everybody with no hesitation to revenge his father’s death unlike Hamlet, who is contemplating throughout the play on if he should or shouldn’t kill the necessary people in order to seek revenge.

    Read More

  • The Revenge of Hamlet, Laertes, and Fortinbras

    699 Words  | 2 Pages

    ...his father, ruined his mother, and even tried to kill Hamlet himself, he is still not confident enough to take action. However just like Laertes, Hamlet does get his revenge in the end, but was it worth all the unwanted death?

    Read More

  • Why Is Hamlet A Coward

    1001 Words  | 3 Pages

    Laertes has the ability to perform tasks that may be unpleasant or dangerous. Laertes does not simply try to kill someone by thinking cautiously the whole time, but by directly confronting them and facing them head-on. When Laertes returns home to Denmark he even confronts Claudius about the death of his father. Swearing Laertes says “I dare damnation. To this point I stand,/That both the worlds I give to negligence,/Let come what comes, only I’ll be reveng’d/Most thoroughly for my father.” (IV. v. 133-136). With this declaration Laertes plots with Claudius to kill Hamlet and they construct a plan to have Laertes fence with Hamlet and for him to kill him. They instrument a plot of revenge for the death of Polonius, quickly coming up with three ways to kill Hamlet: stabbing him with an unblunted sword, placing poison on the sword, and poisoning Hamlet’s drink (IV. vii.). After they construct this plan they swiftly utilize the plan. Laertes did not wait for the perfect moment, at the perfect time, and at the perfect place. He created the place, time, and moment to carry out the dangerous task. Hamlet, however, waited and waited for what he thought one day would be the perfect moment in which he could kill his uncle. Even when Hamlet had an opportunity to kill Claudius, he talked himself out of it. When compared to Laertes, Hamlet is a coward because of his inability

    Read More

  • Free Hamlet Essays: Hamlet's Inability to Take Action

    593 Words  | 2 Pages

    With his thinking mind Hamlet does not become a typical vengeful character. Unlike most erratic behavior of individuals seeking revenge out of rage, Hamlet considers the consequences of his actions. What would the people think of their prince if he were to murder the king? What kind of effect would it have on his beloved mother? Hamlet considers questions of this type which in effect hasten his descision. After all, once his mother is dead and her feelings out of the picture , Hamlet is quick and aggressive in forcing poison into Claudius' mouth. Once Hamlet is certain that Claudius is the killer it is only after he himself is and and his empire falling that he can finally act.

    Read More

  • Hamlet’s Self-Perception

    1556 Words  | 4 Pages

    Each man deals with grief in extremely distinct manners, when looking at Laertes in comparison to Hamlet you can swiftly see their great contrast to one another. Hamlet would rather create reason before madness; he is the type to use his brain before his fist. Whereas Laertes is always caught up in his anger that he sees no means to absolve the actions of others.

    Read More

  • Is Hamlet A Coward Analysis

    905 Words  | 2 Pages

    He has the ability to perform tasks that may be unpleasant or dangerous. Laertes does not simply try to kill someone by thinking cautiously the whole time, but by directly confronting them and facing them head-on. When Laertes returns home to Denmark he even confronts Claudius about the death of his father. Swearing Laertes says “I dare damnation. To this point I stand,/That both the worlds I give to negligence,/Let come what comes, only I’ll be reveng’d/Most throughly for my father.” (IV. v. 133-136). With this declaration Laertes plots with Claudius to kill Hamlet and they construct a plan to have Laertes fence with Hamlet and for him to kill him. They instrument a plot of revenge for the death of Polonius, quickly coming up with three ways to kill Hamlet: stabbing him with an unblunted sword, placing poison on the sword, and poisoning Hamlet’s drink (IV. vii.). After they construct this plan they swiftly utilize the plan. Laertes did not wait for the perfect moment, at the perfect time, and at the perfect place. He created the place, time, and moment to carry out the dangerous task. Hamlet, however, waited and waited for what he thought one day would be the perfect moment in which he could kill his uncle. Even when Hamlet had an opportunity to kill Claudius, he talked himself out of it. When compared to Laertes, Hamlet is a coward because of his inability to

    Read More

  • Comparison Of Revenge In Hamlet

    2463 Words  | 5 Pages

    As described earlier, Hamlet is slow to act. Laertes, on the other hand, acts quickly and with precision, wasting no time in acquiring his target and formulating a plan. Robert Palfrey Utter, Jr., puts it best, Hamlet and Laertes both come to the same conclusion that murder must be carried out, but Hamlet reaches that conclusion only “after he has had a few minutes to think it over.” (140) Once Laertes finds out that the man who killed his father was Hamlet, he is ready to charge in and kill him as soon as possible. He is only stopped by Claudius, who advises him on a more subtle approach.

    Read More

More about What Does It Mean To Say About The Ending Of Hamlet

Open Document