Hamlet
Hamlet vs. Laertes
How does Hamlet's family situation differ from Laertes'?
Act I, scene iii
How does Hamlet's family situation differ from Laertes'?
Act I, scene iii
First of all we need to remember that Laertes was not part of the royal family. I know relations within the royal court tended to be pretty close to the tree, so to speak, but Laertes certainly wasn't in the running for a royal title. So right there, his family would be quite different. Aside from that Laertes didn't have a mother alive. He did have a sibling in Ophelia. Siblings for Hamlet are not mentioned. Hamlet had a father up until the time that he had that nasty poison poured down his ear. Hamlet was supposed to be the future king whereas Laertes would have remained a nobleman in court.