Seven ways Hamlet might see a mirror of himself in Laertes
But I am very sorry, good Horatio,
That to Laertes I forgot myself,
For by the image of my cause I see
The portraiture of his.
(5.2.85-88)
Later in the scene, the word “foil” is used five times, usually by Hamlet, punning on foil as weapon and as mirror image.
Jesus claimed that the greatest commandment is to love God, and the second, "like it," to love neighbor as self (Mark 12:28-31; Matthew 22:34-40). One’s neighbor may be a sort of concrete local manifestation of God, “the least of these,” or of transcendence and mystery.
To love neighbor as self, one must look with compassion and be willing and able to see oneself in one’s neighbor.
But how might Hamlet see his image in Laertes? How might we?
Consider seven ways, the last of which Hamlet may recognize only too late:
1. Both have fathers unjustly killed, and both are inclined toward revenge.
2. Hamlet would have preferred to defend his mother from uncle Claudius as suitor, but fails.
Laertes tries to defend his sister from Hamlet as suitor (1.3.1-55, 90-93).
3. Both had journeys away from Denmark, then returned prematurely:
Laertes went to France (1.3) but returned (4.5);
Hamlet toward England (4.4), but returned (5.1).
4. Laertes loved his sister Ophelia and urged chastity;
Hamlet loved Ophelia (more than 40,000 brothers? 5.1) and urged her "to a nunnery" to avoid breeding more sinners (3.1.131-2).
5. Both are too easily provoked at Ophelia's grave (Laertes more than Hamlet?).
6. Hamlet in 1.2 (over-?) emphasizes his grieving for his father, but Claudius claims his grief is overdone;
Laertes in 5.1 (over-?) emphasizes his grieving for his sister, but Hamlet claims his grief is overdone.
7. Both keep secrets regarding efforts to avenge their fathers:
Hamlet feigns madness to hide (?) his plans for revenge.
Laertes hides from Hamlet his plans for poisoning the blade for the duel (4.7.160-168) that will, unknown to Hamlet, kill them both.
NOTES: All references to Hamlet (and other Shakespeare plays) are to the Folger Shakespeare Library online versions: https://shakespeare.folger.edu/shakespeares-works/hamlet/entire-play/
IMAGES:
Left: Gideon Turner as Laertes, photo by Manuel Harlan for RSC (fair use) via RSC learning zone: https://cdn2.rsc.org.uk/sitefinity/images/education/Shakespeare-learning-Zone/hamlet/hamlet-_2004_-laertes-_manuel-harlan-_c_-rsc_105460.jpg?sfvrsn=efd23c21_4
Right: Jonathan Slinger as Hamlet. Credit/Photo: Alastair Muir (fair use). https://www.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/02521/Hamlet571_2521315b.jpg?imwidth=960
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Disclaimer: If and when I quote or paraphrase bible passages or mention religion in many of my blog posts, I do not intend to promote any religion over another, nor am I attempting to promote religious belief in general; only to explore how the Bible and religion influenced Shakespeare, his plays, and his age.
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