Hamlet's reaction to his father’s murder is strongly contrasted by Laertes whose response to the death of his father is immediate. He is publicly angry and leads the riot taking place outside Elsinore, which Polonius' death and quick burial served as a catalyst. He is suspicious, as is evident in his speech to Claudius. "How came he dead? I'll not be juggled with. To hell allegiance" Shakespeare’s use of imperatives helps create a more insistent voice for Laertes with strong commands which expose his emotional state. Hamlet however is very private with his grief. His mourning for King Hamlet is long and drawn out, two months after his father's death he is still observed to be wearing "suits of solemn black". Claudius and Gertrude comment on his unhappiness, however it is not until Hamlet's first soliloquy that the audience is made aware of the depth of his suffering. Although dismayed at his mother's quick remarriage to his uncle, Hamlet suspects nothing of his father's murder until the ghost discloses this to him.
When brought to the call of avenging their fathers’ deaths, Laertes is fast to act, he wants revenge and he wants it immediately. His actions are rash, being based in anger, and Laertes is easily drawn into Denmark's corruption by Claudius. Claudius manipulates Laertes into becoming an ally to kill Hamlet. Laertes is confident of his abilities to regain honour through vengeance: "my revenge will come" the absolute certainty of the language tells the audience what kind of man he is. Contrasting to Laertes' quick response, Hamlet procrastinates. Although Hamlet wants to regain honour by avenging his father's death, he is dubious of his ability to complete what he promised to the ghost. For two months he procrastinates, and rebukes himself for doing so. Hamlet agonizes over what he is to do and how he is to avenge the murder of his father whilst Laertes acts on impulse and on a tryst with Claudius arising from the emotions of anger and revenge. Hamlet mulls over how he is going to act and defers action until his own procrastination disgusts him into acting. This does not mean, however that Hamlet is unable to act on impulse. Indeed the scene in Act 5 when Laertes and Hamlet jump into Ophelia's grave proves that Hamlet can react impulsively.
However despite the insidious actions of Laertes in proposing the challenge of a duel with Hamlet, Laertes is without the cruelty and vindictiveness of Hamlet. Hamlet not only wants to avenge King Hamlet's death, but wants Claudius to be eternally punished for it. This is the reason Hamlet does not slay the King when given the opportunity in Act 3 scene 4 when he is praying, as there is a chance Claudius might have confessed. Laertes wants revenge; he is not concerned with punishment. Laertes is only interested in the physical and the present, "…cut his throat i’ th’ church". Hamlet however, philosophises about the afterlife, and whether "...in that sleep of death what dreams may come".
Hamlet and Laertes represent the two extremities of the act of revenge: perpetual contemplation over circumstances leading to procrastination; and acting impulsively and without reasoning. Revenge was the driving force behind these character's actions and this led to their eventual downfall.
Fortinbras is another character in the same situation as Hamlet and Laertes faced with avenging his father’s death. Hamlet compares himself to Fortinbras, "How stand I then" and reproaches himself for procrastinating whilst admiring the action-orientated intelligence of Fortinbras. "Witness this army of such mass and charge, Led by a delicate and tender prince". It can be seen from the way he quickly gathers his army and his intent to attack Poland that Fortinbras is an energetic, vigorous leader with clear ambitions. Although Hamlet is referred to as a soldier not only by Fortinbras but also by Ophelia, this aspect of Hamlet is not seen by the audience, and it would seem that Hamlet is more eager to return to his studies at Wittenberg than regain honour for his father. Indeed, it seems his thoughts that are revealed throughout the play are those of a scholar rather than soldier.
The last scene of the play demonstrates more than any the true character of Fortinbras. He arrives at Elsinore, analyses the scene, then acts upon it. His action to avenge his father's death is carefully analysed and his plan executed, unlike Hamlet's continual pensiveness and illogical steps towards vengeance. Hamlet and Laertes represent inaction and action. Fortinbras, as a scholar and a soldier is the midpoint of these two extremes, his ability to reason and then act upon the reason has resulted in his assumption to the lands he sought to attain, and the throne he set out to avenge.
Laertes’ repentance, regret and forgiving nature at the end of the play show the audience another side of the hasty, headstrong character allowing him to be contrasted with Claudius who never repents or admits his sins, “words without thoughts, never to heaven go.” Hamlet and Laertes not only succeed at avenging their fathers’ murders but also exchange forgiveness before they die, leaving the audience with the final conclusion that Laertes is but another victim of the “incestuous, murderous, damned Dane”, Claudius, and whose death is a tragedy in itself.
