1.) Intro: Claudius, the king, has just finished talking to Cornelius and Voltemand, and now asks Laertes what he has to ask him.
Chosen Passage:
Laertes: My dread lord,
Your leave and favor to return to France,
From whence though willingly I came to Denmark
To show my duty in your coronation,
Yet now, I must confess, that duty done,
My thoughts and wishes bend again toward France
And bow them to your gracious leave and pardon. (1.2. 152-159)
Analysis: This is the first time that Laertes speaks in Hamlet and he's questioning the King about whether or not he can leave to go back to France. Laertes says that his duty is done and that his thought are on France. He doesn't really seem to be showing any emotion at all that he's sad or happy. However, Laertes seems to be begging a little bit because he really wants to go. After this the King asks him if it was alright with his father if he goes. His father Polonius, then steps in by saying its alright and he too is begging the kings for his son to go, "I do beseech you give him leave to go" (1.2.63). This is how Shakespeare introduces Laertes into the novel, and the king does allow Laertes to go.
2.) Intro: Laertes is talking to his sister Ophelia about what she should do about Hamlet's love for her.
Chosen Passage:
Laertes: Think it no more.
For nature, crescent, does not grow alone
In thews and bulk, but, as this temple waxes,
The inward service of the mind and soul
Grows wide withal. Perhaps he loves you now,
And now no soil nor cautel doth besmirch
The virtue of his will, but you must fear.
His greatness weighed, his will is not his own,
For he himself is subject to his birth.
He may not, as unvalued persons do,
Carve for himself, for on his choice depends
The safety and health of this whole state.
And therefore must his choice be circumscribed
Unto the voice and yielding of that body
Whereof he is the head. Then if he says he loves
you,
It fits your wisdom so far to believe it
As he in his particular act and place
May give his saying deed, which is no further
Than the main voice of Denmark goes withal.
Then weigh what loss your honor may sustain
If with too credent ear you list his songs,
Or lose your heart, or your chaste treasure open
To his unmastered importunity.
Fear it, Ophelia. Fear it, my dear sister,
And keep you in the rear of your affection,
Out of the shot and danger of desire.
The chariest maid is prodigal enough
If she unmask her beauty to the moon.
Virtue itself ’scapes not calumnious strokes.
The canker galls the infants of the spring
Too oft before their buttons be disclosed.
And in the morn and liquid dew of youth,
Contagious blastments are most imminent.
Be wary, then. Best safety lies in fear.
Youth to itself rebels, though none else near. (1.3. 13-48)
Analysis: This is the second time now that Laertes has now spoken in Hamlet and he is now giving advice to his sister, which he is very good at. What Laertes means by this enormous speech is that Hamlet may love Ophelia now, but she has to be careful because he belongs to a royal family. By Hamlet being so powerful his intentions don't matter that much because the whole country depends on what he does, his choices have to agree with what the people want. So Laertes is basically telling Ophelia to keep her love under control. Ophelia replies to this long speech by saying that she is going to keep his words of wisdom close to his heart. Laertes her is being a really good brother to Ophelia by telling her the truth, which shows that he is a loyal person and a great advice giver.
Chosen Passage:
Laertes: O, fear me not.
I stay too long. But here my father comes.
A double blessing is a double grace.
Occasion smiles upon a second leave. (1.3. 56-59)
Analysis: At this moment in the play Laertes is still having the talk about Hamlet with his sister Ophelia and his love for her. What Laertes means by this is quote is that he has been there too long and now here comes their father. What good luck that he comes to bless Laertes leaving not once but twice again. Looking a Laertes as a character, by him saying this, he is being very sarcastic. His father came to bless his leaving when he wanted to leave for England and now Polonius came to bless his leaving with his sister.
4.) Intro: Laertes father, Polonius, and his sister, Ophelia, are all talking about Hamlet's love for her and Laertes is exiting.
Chosen Passage:
Polonius: The time invites you. Go. Your servants tend.
Laertes: Farewell, Ophelia, and remember well
What I have said to you.
Ophelia: 'Tis in my memory locked,
And you yourself shall keep the key of it.
Laertes: Farewell. (1.3. 88-94)
Analysis: This part of the conversation between the three family member takes place when Laertes is about to exit. The summary of what is being said in the conversation is that Laertes is saying good-bye to both his sister and father. He told Ophelia to make sure she remember what he has told her about Hamlet. The strange part about this conversations is it shows that Laertes doesn't have to great of a relationship with his father or it's hard to tell because all he does is greets him and then leaves by just saying farewell. They do not communicate very well during this period and then right when Laertes leaves, Polonius jumps right on Ophelia asking her what he had told her. So this example from the text shows that Laertes doesn't seem to have a good relationship with his father.
Actor Anayslis: If I had to choose an actor that would be the best choice to play my character Laertes would be Taylor Kitsch. I think Taylor would be the perfect person to play the role for Laertes because has can act out all the same character traits like he did in the television show Friday Night Lights. In the show Taylor was very good a giving advice to people, like Laertes is good at giving advice to his sister. Also, in the show Taylor did not have a good relationship with his father and barely even saw him, which relates to Laertes and his father not having the best reaktionship. Lastly, Laertes likes to be sarcastic or even tries to be funny and Taylor as a character in the show was a very sarcastic person and was sometimes a jokester as well. This is why I believe that Taylor Kitsch would be the perfect actor to play Laertes.
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