As Scene Two begins, in the first lines which Laertes speaks in the play, he requests that King Claudius allow him to return to his duties in France. This is important from the viewpoint that it demonstrates his dislike for the King and his wish to be away from the questionable circumstances of his marriage and subsequent ascension to the throne, a wise decision, and an attempt to remain apart and above the world, as the Greek "superman"is seen to gain immortality by doing, though Laertes does have personal feelings in the matter, unlike the true Stoic, thus his attempt is a failure, though a noble one.

While Laertes is off in France, however, Polonius is killed by Hamlet, the Queen recalling that he "Whips out his rapier, cries ÔA rat, a rat!"(4.1.10), implying that Polonius is indeed a "rat", in the most underhanded and demeaning sense of the word. Then, Ophelia goes mad the same night as Laertes returns to Denmark, with an armed mob shouting for him to take the throne, though he finds it against his honour to take the thr

When the final half begins of Act Five, Scene Two, Hamlet and Laertes are ready for the fencing match, and Hamlet begs forgiveness for all transgressions against his foe. Laertes, knowing fully that Hamlet is doomed to die because of Laertes' deal with Polonius, forgives Hamlet and has the perfect way out, and the perfect chance to balance the scales, but, due to his great desire for vengeance he goes on with the match, and the plan to kill Hamlet, effectively closing all routes of retreat.

one from Claudius by force, and only wishes to find what has become of his father.

In the following scene, during the burying of Ophelia, Laertes has become so inflamed that he threatens that the priest will go to hell while his beloved sister is in heaven, and then he nearly strangles Hamlet while they are both standing virtually on top of Ophelia's corpse, in the grave! If there was still any question of Laertes' flaw, it has again been shown that his virtues have driven him past the edge.

Once Laertes has poisoned Hamlet, Hamlet Laertes, and Queen Gertrude has drunk from the poisoned cup, however, Laertes' honour finally takes control, and he admits his guilt, and tells all of the king's plot to kill Hamlet, even though it does no good. The scales are broken.

Some common words found in the essay are:
Directly Ophelia, King Claudius, Hamlet Queen, Queen Gertrude, Fortinbras Horatio, Hamlet Laertes, Ophelia Laertes, , king claudius, France Polonius, fencing match, hamlet laertes, kill hamlet, doomed die,
Approximate Word count = 984
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)