Laertes (character)
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Laertes is a character from William Shakespeare's play, Hamlet.
Laertes is the son of Polonius as well as brother to Ophelia. Laertes kills Hamlet with a poisoned rapier to avenge his family's death.
During the course of the play, we find Laertes to be a scholar and devoutly loyal son and brother. He had traveled from France to see King Claudius become king. That event over, he returns to France with the King's permission.
During his absence, Hamlet murders Polonius in his mother's bedchamber, thinking it could be the King evesdropping. Hamlet hides the body, thus preventing Polonius from being buried honorably. Laertes, having heard of his father's death, returns to Dennmark with a rebel force. They break down the castle's doors and Laertes confronts the King, thinking he was responsible for Polonius' death. The King encourages Laertes to kill Hamlet, and avenge Polonius' death.
Ophelia, his sister, then comes singing songs and handing people flowers. She has gone insane because of her father's murder. Later, Laertes is informed of his sister's death. She had climbed into a willow tree that hung over a brook, and fell into the water. Too insane to save herself, she drowned. This stregthens Laertes' resolve to kill Hamlet.
King Claudius arranges a dual between Hamlet and Laertes. Laertes uses his sharp, poisoned sword instead of a bated (dull) sword. The King provides a poisoned drink as a backup measure. Hamlet, grieving over the unintentional killing of Polonius and the loss of Ophelia, agrees to the fight.
Before the fight, Hamlet apologizes publicly to Laertes for the wrongs he has dealt him. Laertes accepts it, but stands by his challenge in order to maintain his honor. Hamlet is winning by two hits when both are cut by the poisoned sword in a struggle.
Just then the queen dies, saying "The drink, the drink! I am poisoned." Laertes then tells Hamlet of the plot against him. As he lies dying, Laertes confesses his and Claudius' treachery to Hamlet. They exchange forgiveness, and Hamlet goes on to slay the king before dying of the poisoned cut.nl:Laërtes (Shakespeare)