Laertes AO5

Question 1

Gentleman (1700’s)

Answer 1

his poisoning is ‘unmanlike’ and believes ‘no revenge can be just’

Question 2

Davies (1700s)

Answer 2

‘Laertes is determined to act treacherously’

Question 3

Hall (Victorian)

Answer 3

‘Laertes and Fortinbras are both representatives of action’

Question 4

Dunn (Feminist)

Answer 4

‘Laertes calls Ophelia a ‘document in madness’

‘Laertes sees Ophelia as an emblem’

Question 5

early 20th C trend

Answer 5

focus on Laertes as a foil to hamlet with his rash action vs Hamlet’s delayed inaction

Question 6

Blackmore (early 20th C)

Answer 6

‘ruled by passion rather than by reason’

Question 7

Jamieson (modern)

Answer 7

Hamlet and Laertes contrast as Hamlet needs proof that his father was killed by Claudius

Question 8

Jenkins (modern 20th C)

Answer 8

‘villain’, but a victim of corrupt court

Question 9

Baty (21st)

Answer 9

‘unsatisfactory given that he is little more than a tool used to achieve Claudius’ own ends’