LAERTES

the son of Polonius and brother of Ophelia, who serves as a foil to Prince Hamlet in William Shakespeare's Hamlet. Caught up in events beyond his control, Laertes attempts to avenge his father's death at Hamlet's hand, becoming further incensed by Hamlet's behaviour at Ophelia's burial. Manipulated by Claudius, he becomes the instrument of Hamlet's death and dies himself in the final bloodbath.