3.6.1

Laertes' Popularity & Relationship with Ophelia

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Laertes' Popularity & Relationship with Ophelia

Laertes, the son of Polonius, is absent for most of the play.

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Laertes' appearances in the play

  • After two brief appearances in Act 1, Laertes leaves for Paris and we do not see him again until Act 4 after the death of his father.
  • After Ophelia’s death in A4S5, he alone represents his family.
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Popularity in the Danish court

  • We first see him as a rising young star of the Danish court being granted permission by the King to return to Paris.
  • He flatters the King (“My dread lord”) in A1S2, tactfully referring not to the old king’s death but to the new king’s coronation as the reason for his return to Denmark.
  • There is an immediate contrast between Laertes’ easy use of diplomacy and flattery and Hamlet’s sullen rudeness towards the King. Shakespeare presents both as opposites from this first scene together.
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Overprotectiveness of Ophelia

  • In the next scene, we see Laertes being very protective - perhaps overprotective – of Ophelia. He urges his sister to protect her “chaste treasure” (i.e. her virginity and reputation at court) and to “fear” Hamlet’s love.
  • There is undoubtedly sense in what he tells his sister. Particularly when reminding her that, as heir to the throne, Hamlet’s choice of wife must be a political one: “for on his choice depends / The safety and health of this whole state.”
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Laertes the hypocrite

  • There is a strong sense that Ophelia recognises that Laertes is being a hypocrite, preaching one thing while doing another.
  • She gently teases her brother about him being, in secret, “a puffed and reckless libertine” (a young man indulging in sexual pleasures).
  • Ophelia’s suspicions about Laertes are perhaps later confirmed by Polonius’ decision to send someone to spy on Laertes’ behaviour in Paris.

Jump to other topics

1Introduction

2Plot Summary

3Character Profiles

4Key Themes

5Writing Techniques

6Context

7Critical Debates

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