Hamlet and Laertes both contribute to the main theme of the play, revenge. Both characters loved their fathers dearly, this is the reason for revenge. But their love has been distorted and all they feel now is the need for revenge for their fathers' deaths. But they approach it differently. Hamlet knows who killed his father, but does not act immediately. Laertes is not clear who is responsible for his father's death, but he immediately acts to avenge him. "To hell, faithfulness! Vows, to the blackest devil! Conscience and grace, to the deepest abyss! I dare damnation: at this point I stand, that I consign both worlds to negligence, come what comes; only I will be I took complete revenge on my father." Laertes Act 4 Scene 5. Both Hamlet and Laertes love their father and seek revenge, but have different responses to their father's death. Hamlet and Laertes have different responses to their father's death. Hamlet cries for a couple of months, never quite getting over it, then finally goes mad. So he procrastinates on avenging his father. He returns to Elsinore with a mob, threatening to overthrow Claudius if he does not explain his father's murder. He questions nothing and conspires with the king to kill Hamlet. Both Hamlet and Laertes love their family and will do anything to protect them, including Ophelia. Both Hamlet and Laertes have feelings for Ophelia. Being his brother Laertes is expressed openly throughout the play. He warns her to be wary of Hamlet's love. He warns her that Hamlet is only using her. At first it does not appear that Hamlet loves Ophelia, as demonstrated by his actions towards her. “If you get married, I will give you this plague as a dowry. Be you as the... middle of paper... the death of their father. They both have the same reaction when they discover that their father figure has sent spies after them. Both men grew up in the royal family, but in different situations. Hamlet, being the king's son. Laertes was the son of the king's advisor. Both Hamlet and Laertes die because they want to prove that they are honorable and because of their desire for revenge. Hamlet killed Polonius, Laertes' father. Laertes has sworn to avenge him and does so by killing Hamlet. To kill Hamlet, Laertes and Claudius stage a sword fight. Before the sword fight, both Hamlets apologize to Laertes for killing his father, but still fight for honor. But Laertes really wants Hamlet to die, as does the king. Laertes uses a poisoned sword and strikes Hamlet. Then swords are exchanged and Laertes is wounded and killed by his own sword. "I have been justly slain by my own treachery" (Act V, scene ii)