Which Statement Best Describes How This Plot Event Shapes Laertes?

Hello Reader nawafnet,

William Shakespeare’s “Hamlet” has been a timeless classic for centuries, and one of the most important characters in the play is Laertes. Laertes is the son of Polonius and brother of Ophelia, and his character is essential to the plot of the play. Throughout the story, Laertes experiences a significant event that shapes his character in several ways. In this article, we will explore which statement best describes how this plot event shapes Laertes.

The Introduction

Hamlet’s father, King Hamlet, has died, and his uncle, Claudius, has taken the throne. Hamlet is devastated and begins to act strangely. Meanwhile, his childhood friend, Laertes, returns to Denmark from France to avenge his father’s death, who died shortly after he left for France. Laertes becomes a crucial character in the story, and his character is shaped by the events that take place. In this article, we will delve deeper into which statement best describes how a particular plot event shapes Laertes.

Hamlet is a play that is full of different characters that are essential to the plot. Laertes, although not as prominent as Hamlet, Ophelia, or Claudius, is a character that is crucial to the story. Laertes’ character experiences a significant event that shapes him throughout the play. It is essential to understand how this event affects him and how it affects the plot.

1. Laertes’ Initial Character

Before we can discuss how the plot event shapes Laertes, we need to establish Laertes’ initial character. Laertes is shown to be an impulsive and hot-headed character. When he returns from France, he immediately confronts Claudius about his father’s death. He accuses Claudius of not only being responsible for Polonius’ death but also for the deaths of Hamlet and Ophelia. Laertes is rash and impulsive, which eventually leads to his downfall.

Laertes initially serves as a foil to Hamlet, as their characters are different. Hamlet is contemplative and thoughtful, while Laertes is quick to act without considering the consequences. Laertes’ character embodies revenge and the thirst for justice. However, Laertes’ character changes after a significant event occurs, which shapes him as a character.

2. The Plot Event

The significant event that occurs in Laertes’ character arc is the death of his father, Polonius. Laertes is consumed with grief and anger after his father’s death, much like Hamlet was after the death of his father. However, Laertes’ grief and anger lead him down a path of revenge. He becomes hellbent on avenging his father’s death, no matter the cost.

Laertes’ turning point occurs when he meets with Claudius and tells him that he will do whatever it takes to avenge his father’s death. Claudius sees an opportunity to use Laertes to get rid of Hamlet, who has become a threat to his reign. Claudius agrees to help Laertes seek his revenge, and together, they devise a plan to kill Hamlet. This plan eventually leads to the tragic ending of the play.

3. Strengths of the Statement

The statement that best describes how the plot event shapes Laertes is “The death of his father, Polonius, drives Laertes towards revenge and shapes him into a more calculating and strategic character.” This statement is strong because it encapsulates everything that happens to Laertes throughout the play. He is driven towards revenge, becomes more calculating and strategic, and ultimately meets a tragic end as a result of his actions.

The statement is strong because it also highlights the change in Laertes’ character. Before his father’s death, Laertes was impulsive and rash. After his father’s death, he becomes more calculated and strategic, as he plans and executes his revenge. The statement is also strong because it acknowledges the tragic ending that Laertes meets as a result of his actions.

4. Weaknesses of the Statement

The statement that best describes how the plot event shapes Laertes is strong, but it does have some weaknesses. The statement does not acknowledge that Laertes’ character traits were already present, even before his father’s death. Laertes was impulsive and rash, as evidenced by his initial confrontation with Claudius. The statement also does not highlight the role that Claudius played in shaping Laertes’ character. Claudius was the one who manipulated Laertes and pushed him towards revenge.

However, these weaknesses do not detract significantly from the strength of the statement. The statement still encapsulates everything that happens to Laertes throughout the play and highlights the change in his character, which leads to his tragic end.

5. The Table

Statement	Strengths	Weaknesses
The death of his father, Polonius, drives Laertes towards revenge and shapes him into a more calculating and strategic character.	Encapsulates everything that happens to Laertes throughout the play, highlights the change in his character, acknowledges the tragic ending.	Does not acknowledge that Laertes’ character traits were already present, does not highlight the role that Claudius played in shaping Laertes’ character.

6. FAQs

Q: What happened to Laertes’ father, Polonius?

A: Polonius was killed by Hamlet when he mistook him for Claudius.

Q: Was Laertes always bent on revenge?

A: No, Laertes’ character traits were already present before his father’s death. However, his father’s death pushed him towards revenge.

Q: What role did Claudius play in shaping Laertes’ character?

A: Claudius manipulated Laertes and pushed him towards revenge, which ultimately led to Laertes’ downfall.

Q: Did Laertes regret his actions?

A: Yes, before he died, Laertes expressed regret for his actions and asked for forgiveness from Hamlet.

Q: How did Laertes die?

A: Laertes was fatally wounded during a duel with Hamlet. He admitted to poisoning his sword, which also caused Hamlet’s eventual death.

Q: Who else died in the play?

A: Ophelia, Polonius, and Hamlet all die in the play.

Q: Why did Hamlet kill Polonius?

A: Hamlet mistakenly believed that Polonius was Claudius and killed him.

Q: Why did Laertes want revenge?

A: Laertes wanted revenge for his father’s death and believed that Hamlet was responsible.

Q: Did Laertes’ revenge actually bring him closure?

A: No, Laertes’ revenge led to his own downfall and ultimately did not bring him closure or peace.

Q: Why is Laertes important to the play?

A: Laertes is an essential character in the play because he serves as a foil to Hamlet and embodies revenge and the thirst for justice.

Q: Does Laertes redeem himself before he dies?

A: Yes, Laertes expresses regret for his actions and tries to make amends with Hamlet before he dies.

Q: How did Laertes’ revenge plan backfire?

A: Laertes’ revenge plan backfired because he was fatally wounded during his duel with Hamlet, and his plot to poison Hamlet’s sword ultimately caused Hamlet’s death as well.

Q: Who manipulated Laertes to seek revenge?

A: Claudius manipulated Laertes to seek revenge against Hamlet.

Q: Why did Laertes agree to help Claudius kill Hamlet?

A: Laertes agreed to help Claudius kill Hamlet because he believed that it was the only way to get revenge for his father’s death.

7. Conclusion

Laertes’ character is an essential part of Shakespeare’s “Hamlet.” His character is shaped by the significant plot event of his father’s death, which drives him towards revenge and ultimately leads to his tragic end. The statement that best describes how this plot event shapes Laertes is “The death of his father, Polonius, drives Laertes towards revenge and shapes him into a more calculating and strategic character.” This statement is strong because it encapsulates everything that happens to Laertes throughout the play and highlights the change in his character.

It is essential to acknowledge that Laertes’ character had some weaknesses, such as being impulsive and rash, but these do not detract significantly from the overall strength of the statement. It is also crucial to remember the role that Claudius played in shaping Laertes’ character and pushing him towards revenge. This event is a crucial point in the play, as it shapes the character of Laertes and ultimately leads to the tragic ending.

Closing Words

Thank you for taking the time to read this article. We hope that it has given you a deeper insight into the character of Laertes and how he is shaped by the events of the play. It is essential to remember that revenge can have grave consequences, and Laertes’ story is an example of this. We encourage readers to think deeply about the themes in “Hamlet” and to consider the impact of one’s actions on others.

Disclaimer

The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any other agency, organization, employer, or company. The information in this article is intended as general information and should not be regarded as professional advice. We make no representation or warranty as to the accuracy, reliability, or completeness of the information contained in this article.