Laertes died by accident when he and Hamlet switch swords, however he realizes this when he says, "I am killed with mine own treachery" (V:ii, 286). All these characters have ideas in mind that backfire on them, and in the case of Laertes it was his obsession for the revenge of his father's death that lead him to his death. ... Laertes was poised by the ideas of Claudius and midway during the fight he says to himself, "And yet it is almost against my conscience" (V:ii, 273). This realization shows how the obsessions of Claudius took over Laertes, and his own revenge quest prevented him...

• Word Count: 482
• Approx Pages: 2
• Grade Level: High School

The characters of Hamlet and Laertes undergo dilemmas. ... Polonius' son, Laertes comes back from England and joins Claudius. ... Laertes attempts to kill Hamlet with a poisoned sword. He cuts Hamlet's arm and Hamlet becomes angry, switches swords and cuts Laertes. ...

• Word Count: 421
• Approx Pages: 2
• Grade Level: High School

The revenge tragedy became a popular genre of drama in England in the late sixteenth and early seventeenth centuries. The revenge tragedy genre was based off the work of the Roman playwright, Seneca. The first well known revenge tragedy was "The Spanish Tragedy," by Thomas Kyd, which was first per...

• Word Count: 562
• Approx Pages: 2
• Grade Level: High School

It is ultimately Hamlets procrastination that leads to his demise, he does not act on his revenge and Claudius soon finds out his intentions and he plots to kill hamlet himself using laertes as a pawn. Laertes and Hamlet proceed to dual and both are stabbed by the same poison sword, Claudius is then stabbed with the sword and Hamlets mother Gertrude Drinks poison wine. ...

• Word Count: 442
• Approx Pages: 2
• Grade Level: High School

Claudius' plan with Laertes to kill Hamlet seems to be a smart decision made by the king. However, he does not tell Laertes to keep the plan a secret. ... With Laertes telling Hamlet of his intentions to avenge his father's death, he accidentally betrays the king: "Whose motive in this case should stir me most/ To my revenge" (5.2.229-230). ...

• Word Count: 1146
• Approx Pages: 5
• Grade Level: High School

Claudius orders Laertes, Ophelia's brother, to duel against Hamlet with swords. ... After Hamlet defeats Laertes in a portion of the match, the King offers a toast to Hamlet saying, "Stay, give me drink. ...

• Word Count: 750
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: High School

Religion today isn't quite what it was back in Shakespeare's time. For most people, it's the last thing that crosses their minds when they cheat on a test or lie to the people they love. Adolescents especially put little or no thought into the spiritual consequences that come with committing a sin. ...

• Word Count: 993
• Approx Pages: 4
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School