Laertes is more aggressive and fast acting than the melancholy Hamlet. Laertes actions are more physical. As a result of Laertes' speculation, he instinctively moves to avenge Polonius' death. "To hell, allegiance! Vows, to the blackest devil! Conscience and grace, to the profoundest pit! I dare damnation. To this point I stand, that both the worlds I give to negligence, let come what comes, only I'll be revenged most thoroughly for my father." Act 4 Scene 5 lines 133-137 provide insight into Laertes' mind, displaying his desire for revenge at any cost. Fury and frustration incite Laertes' imprudent actions. Sudden an

ger prompts Laertes to act spontaneously, giving little thought to the consequences of his actions.

The conflict between Hamlet and Laertes runs through the entire play. The source of the conflict can be attributed to the differences in Laertes and Hamlets' personalities. Their differences effected they way they sought revenge and how they loved Ophelia. Although Laertes took a much more direct approach than Hamlet, both however accomplished their goal, but at the ultimate price of both their lives.

Hamlets' actions prove to be more passive than Laertes. The death of Hamlet's father and the hasty, incestuous remarriage of his mother to his uncle throws Hamlet into a suicidal frame of mind in which "the uses of this world" seem to him "weary, stale, flat, and unprofitable" (1.2.132-133). Though his faith in the value of life has been destroyed by this double confrontation with death and human infidelity, he feels powerless to effect any change in this new reality. All he can do in this frustrated state is lash out with bitter satire at the evils he sees and then relapse into suicidal melancholy.

It is evident that Laertes acts where Hamlet does not. Laertes is so concerned about his formal and outward terms of honor that he cannot permit his natural feelings to rule his will. In this concern for outward honor he further dishonors himself by the false statement that

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Approximate Word count = 935
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)