154). To get revenge, however, Laertes thinks killing Hamlet will benefit him the most, since Laertes’ “noble father lost, [and] a sister driven into desp’rate terms…” is caused by him (4.7. 27-28). Laertes is determined to kill Hamlet and his persistence is noticed by Claudius. Claudius talks with Laertes and asks him if he really did love his father, psychologically embarrassing Laertes into proving his love by killing his father’s murderer. Claudius uses his insecurity to persuade Laertes into “[cutting] [Hamlet’s] throat i’ th’ church,” both men under the impression that revenge is the best answer for the situation (4.7. 144). Laertes, misguided by Claudius’ selfish desire to benefit himself, blindly attacks Hamlet with no thought whatsoever besides the concentration for revenge. Laertes, using a sword dipped in poison, eventually kills Hamlet as revenge, but justice is served when Laertes is also harmed. Laertes realizes that Claudius is an immoral man, and he is troubled by the fact that he was willing to serve the corrupt king. Although he killed Hamlet as revenge for his father, Laertes is “justly kill'd with mine own treachery” (5.2. 337). Laertes used the same tactic as Claudius to kill Hamlet, by poison, which shows that he is as corrupt as the king is. Laertes’ death is justice for Hamlet, King Hamlet, and for the kingdom as
154). To get revenge, however, Laertes thinks killing Hamlet will benefit him the most, since Laertes’ “noble father lost, [and] a sister driven into desp’rate terms…” is caused by him (4.7. 27-28). Laertes is determined to kill Hamlet and his persistence is noticed by Claudius. Claudius talks with Laertes and asks him if he really did love his father, psychologically embarrassing Laertes into proving his love by killing his father’s murderer. Claudius uses his insecurity to persuade Laertes into “[cutting] [Hamlet’s] throat i’ th’ church,” both men under the impression that revenge is the best answer for the situation (4.7. 144). Laertes, misguided by Claudius’ selfish desire to benefit himself, blindly attacks Hamlet with no thought whatsoever besides the concentration for revenge. Laertes, using a sword dipped in poison, eventually kills Hamlet as revenge, but justice is served when Laertes is also harmed. Laertes realizes that Claudius is an immoral man, and he is troubled by the fact that he was willing to serve the corrupt king. Although he killed Hamlet as revenge for his father, Laertes is “justly kill'd with mine own treachery” (5.2. 337). Laertes used the same tactic as Claudius to kill Hamlet, by poison, which shows that he is as corrupt as the king is. Laertes’ death is justice for Hamlet, King Hamlet, and for the kingdom as