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.

Laertes' appearances in the play

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.
Popularity in the Danish court

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.
Overprotectiveness of Ophelia

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.”
Laertes the hypocrite

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.
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1

Introduction

1.1

Introduction & Background to Hamlet

1.1.1Introduction to Hamlet1.1.2The Literary Tradition of the Hamlet Story1.1.3Introduction to the Settings in Hamlet1.1.4Introduction to Social Issues Raised
2

Plot Summary

2.1

Act 1: Key Events & Ideas

2.1.1Act 1, Scene 12.1.2Act 1, Scene 22.1.3Act 1, Scene 32.1.4Act 1, Scenes 4-5
2.2

Act 2: Key Events & Ideas

2.2.1Act 2, Scene 12.2.2Act 2, Scene 2
2.3

Act 3: Key Events & Ideas

2.3.1Act 3, Scene 1: Key Events2.3.2Act 3, Scene 1: Key Ideas2.3.3Act 3, Scene 22.3.4Act 3, Scene 32.3.5Act 3, Scene 4
2.4

Act 4: Key Events & Ideas

2.4.1Act 4, Scene 12.4.2Act 4, Scenes 2-32.4.3Act 4, Scene 42.4.4Act 4, Scene 5: Key Events2.4.5Act 4, Scene 5: Key Ideas2.4.6Act 4, Scene 62.4.7Act 4, Scene 7
2.5

Act 5: Key Events & Ideas

2.5.1Act 5, Scene 1: Key Events2.5.2Act 5, Scene 2: Key Events2.5.3Act 5, Scene 2: Key Ideas
3

Character Profiles

3.1

Hamlet

3.1.1Hamlet's Speech & Mind3.1.2Hamlet's Heroic Status3.1.3Hamlet's State of Mind3.1.4Hamlet's Indecision/Action Taking
3.2

Claudius

3.2.1Claudius' Crime3.2.2Changing Impressions of Claudius
3.3

Gertrude

3.3.1Mystery & Hamlet's View of Gertrude3.3.2Gertrude's Character3.3.3Gertrude's Relationship with Hamlet
3.4

Ophelia

3.4.1Ophelia
3.5

Polonius

3.5.1Portrayal of Polonius & Treatment of Ophelia3.5.2Polonius' Spying & Death
3.6

Laertes

3.6.1Laertes' Popularity & Relationship with Ophelia3.6.2Laertes' Character Traits
4

Key Themes

4.1

Regicide in Hamlet

4.1.1Regicide in Hamlet
4.2

Madness in Hamlet

4.2.1Madness in Hamlet
4.3

Guilt & Punishment in Hamlet

4.3.1Guilt in Hamlet4.3.2Punishment in Hamlet
4.4

Settings in Hamlet

4.4.1Physical Settings & Historical Setting of Hamlet
5

Writing Techniques

5.1

Structure

5.1.1Structure of Hamlet5.1.2'Play Within a Play' Structure5.1.3Play-Acting Motif
5.2

Form

5.2.1Soliloquy5.2.2Comedy
5.3

Imagery

5.3.1Imagery of Corruption & Decay5.3.2Imagery: Healing, Performance & Costume
5.4

Language

5.4.1Word Usage & Hendiadys5.4.2Questions & Classical Allusions
6

Context

6.1

Social & Historical Context

6.1.1Elizabeth I & Succession6.1.2Cosmic & Social Hierarchy6.1.3Renaissance & Emergence of Humanism6.1.4Regicide6.1.5The Reformation
6.2

Literary Context

6.2.1Seneca Tragedy6.2.2The Revenge Tragedy
6.3

Performance & Textual History

6.3.1Performance History of Hamlet6.3.2Textual History of Hamlet
7

Critical Debates

7.1

18-19th Century Responses to Hamlet

7.1.1Introduction to Critical Debates7.1.218th Century Commentary on Hamlet7.1.3Romantic Commentary on Hamlet
7.2

20th Century Responses to Hamlet

7.2.1Freudian Response to Hamlet7.2.2Other Early 20th Century Responses to Hamlet
7.3

Feminist Readings of Hamlet

7.3.1Introduction to Feminist Criticism7.3.2Feminist Readings of Hamlet7.3.3Presentation of Ophelia
7.4

Marxist/Political Readings of Hamlet

7.4.1Introduction to Marxist Criticisms7.4.2Marxist Readings of Hamlet

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    What does Laertes say has caused his return to Denmark in A1S2?Multiple choice
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Polonius' Spying & Death

Laertes' Character Traits