Revenge in HamletWith side dish From time to time, we as a complex society have recognized the idea of ​​man and revenge in many pieces of great literature. Throughout history, the idea of ​​revenge has destroyed large communities, populations, and entire civilizations. The problem with man and revenge is that one can be distracted from why or who is taking revenge. This similar idea is conveyed in the theme of Shakespeare's Hamlet: "Revenge can confuse a man's mind and soul to the point that he may not be sure of whom he is truly avenging." Shakespeare uses contrasts in this play to allow us readers to understand Hamlet as a man and why and who he is truly avenging. A contrast is "a minor character in a literary work who, by similarities and differences in what he does (compared to a more major character), or simply by being there to let another character speak, helps the audience understand a most important character." Laertes and the ghost are complements to Hamlet in this play that help us readers understand his character and actions. Throughout the play, Hamlet ignores his father's (ghost) warning about his mother, pretends to be mad, betrays Ophelia, and delays revenge for his father's murder. What was the cause of these actions? Why did Hamlet delay his duty of revenge? Through the intuition of the ghost and Laertes, one may be able to come to one's own conclusions. Laertes was a stable-minded student, son of Polonius and brother of Ophelia. He was a strong-willed young man who studied overseas, was protective of Ophelia, loved his family, and maintained his loyalty to King Hamlet and then King Claudius. Hamlet and Laertes had never been friends, as Hamlet was of a higher social class. In one aspect, Laertes respected their differences and in another it made him wary and curious about Hamlet and his ways. Furthermore, Hamlet had feelings for Ophelia that Laertes despised and chased away. Although Hamlet and Laertes differ, Laertes acts as a stable foil to Hamlet who makes good decisions and acts on his words instead of just speaking. Laertes allows us as readers to explore how Hamlet should have acted instead of how he did: inactive, in a state of retardation, and full of words.