ENGLISH LITERATURE (CBSE/UGC NET)

Detailed explanation-1: -Laertes /leɪˈɜːrtiːz/ is a character in William Shakespeare’s c. 1600 play Hamlet. Laertes is the son of Polonius and the brother of Ophelia. In the final scene, he mortally stabs Hamlet with a poison-tipped sword to avenge the deaths of his father and sister, for which he blamed Hamlet.

Detailed explanation-2: -Laertes is Polonius’ son and Ophelia’s brother. Laertes acts as a caring and concerned brother when he warns Ophelia to be careful with Hamlet.

Detailed explanation-3: -Laertes is the only son of Polonius and brother of Ophelia. He leaves Denmark to study in Paris. Horatio is an old and trusted friend of Hamlet’s.

Detailed explanation-4: -Laertes is a foil, or a character who parallels another to highlight important differences, to Prince Hamlet. Both seek revenge for the murders of their fathers but do it in opposite ways: Hamlet is prone to inaction, while Laertes leaps into action without forethought.

Detailed explanation-5: -Ophelia’s clothing carried her afloat for a time, but eventually she sank to her death. Laertes finds his grief uncontrollable, and he runs out in a rage. Claudius and Gertrude follow him, ostensibly to quell his anger.