In anticipation of the attack, Claudius sends Cornelius and Voltimand, his courtiers, to Fortinbras' uncle to talk to young Fortinbras about his vengeful quest. Thus, Fortinbras is dissuaded from attacking Denmark, temporarily, and is prompted "to employ his anger, against the Polack- (II.ii.74-75). Fortinbras' course is an honourable one: acting to regain what was taken from him when his father was slain. In seeking out revenge, he does so not only on the same field on which his father contended, but on the very one he was bested. So he is unique in that his revenge lacks any actions of dishonour or deceit. Albeit his course does involve "the imminent death of twenty thousand men for a fantasy of trick and fame- (IV.iv.60-61), his character is otherwise devoid of any dishonourable intentions. It is believed that it is because of his honourable convictions that he is rewarded with a vengeance that does not end with his own demise, as well as, ascendancy to the conveniently empty throne of Denmark. .
Secondly, there is Laertes, son of Polonius. Laertes seeks out revenge using .
lex talionis, "an eye for an eye;- and to this he is entitled to. In these times, the eldest son of a murdered father could hardly stand idle while his murderer still breathes. Well, he could, but if honour meant anything to him; and in these times, honour meant everything, than it was his obligation to exact his vengeance upon Hamlet. Laertes, having such noble qualities as being inherently good and having a basic honesty and courage, takes up this challenge to kill Hamlet. Unfortunately, circumstances are not at their best and returning home to find a dead father and an insane sister certainly plays a large role on how Laertes would have otherwise dealt with the situation, "Let come what comes, only I'll be most revenged most thoroughly for my father."" (IV.v.135-136). Quick to avenge the loss of his family, we see a rather rash and hot-headed Laertes, and although one can hardly blame him for being in such a state of mind, it is the decisions he makes while in this state of mind that ultimately leads to his death.
