Hamlet and Laertes as Revengers

Revenge is a major theme developed throughout William Shakespeare?s tragic play, Hamlet. Even though there are many deaths in the play, the murder of King Hamlet and Polonius are the most important. Since both of these men were fathers, it was customary and honourable during the Elizabethan times for their sons to avenge their deaths. Hamlet, son of the late King Hamlet, and Laertes, son of Polonius, are confronted by their father?s deaths in different ways, which leads them down different roads when avenging their fathers. Hamlet and Laertes possess different personalities but similar motivations, therefore the ways in which they seek revenge for their fathers? death differ. In the end both men take revenge; there is a feeling that Laertes does not take revenge honestly, which leaves him to die without honouring his father. Hamlet on the other hand fulfills his contempt against his father?s killer because he denounces the king and reveals the truth behind his evil nature.…