Laertes and Ophelia: The Sibling Foil

Shakespeare's theme of self-control is shown in the sibling foil of Laertes and Ophelia. Shakespeare is trying to show, through these characters, how "children" need to practice in order to be good at controlling themselves. Laertes and Ophelia are controlled by someone else all their lives. They both receive freedom and the choice to control their own lives. In result of lack of practice, they both die.

Ophelias' lack of control comes from being controlled by not only her father, but also Laertes and Hamlet. Once Polonius dies, Ophelia has no controller and does not know what to do afterword. In coping with fathers' death, Ophelia becomes full of grief and is acting fairly strange. While she is reach for a flower, she falls off the branch resulting in her own death.

Laertes' lack of control results in being pushed around and controlled by other people, including Polonius and Claudius. Once Polonius dies, Laertes comes back to take care of his sister. In result of Ophelias' death, he goes to avenge both his fathers' and sisters' deaths. He challenges Hamlet to a sword fight and poisons his own sword. Hamlet gets a hold of the sword and wounds Laertes with it. In result of his seeking vengeance because he "has to", he dies.

Their father did not give them any freedom as a result of being a very political man. He was too worried about his image as a politician to worry about his children's best interest. There for giving his children no freedom limiting them to know how to act in certain situations. As a father, he should give his children room to grow and learn how to control themselves and make decisions not leading them to trouble or even death. An example would be Polonius saying to Ophelia, "You'll tender me a fool." [I.iii.109]. In explaining to Ophelia, Polonius states she will make him look bad if she does not do as he conveys, and leave Hamlet alone.

Laertes

...