Laertes
Laertes is a character in Shakespeare's *Hamlet*—the brother of Ophelia and son of Polonius, whose desire to avenge his father's death makes him a foil to the hesitant prince.
In Greek mythology, Laertes is the father of Odysseus, appearing briefly in the *Odyssey* as an old man tending his orchard.
The name appears occasionally as a given name, usually with literary associations.
Greek name meaning help
- PoloniusMeddling royal counselor
- DenmarkScandinavian constitutional monarchy
- ElsinoreDanish royal fortress
- ClaudiusFourth Roman emperor
Gertrude · Horatio · Fortinbras · prince · courtier · foil · duel · vengeance
Meddling royal counselor
- OpheliaGreek name meaning help
- sonMale child relation
- heirOne who receives legacy
- lineageDescent from progenitors
family honor · bloodline · legacy · bereaved · orphaned · household · kinship · duty
Combat with blunted blades
- rapierSlender dueling blade
- unctionExaggerated earnest manner
- HamletDanish prince's revenge tragedy
- hitSuccessful contact or strike
touch · foil · bout · swordplay · exchange · wound · scratch · treachery
Retaliation for injury
- conspiracyClandestine coordinated scheming
- ClaudiusFourth Roman emperor
- duelPrearranged one-on-one combat
- honorHigh regard, moral dignity
fury · wrath · retribution · impulsive · mob · rebellion · justice · avenging
Ithaca's long-wandering monarch
- TelemachusMythical prince of Ithaca
- PenelopeTraditional name, Greek origin
- IthacaIonian island, epic destination
- ArgosHellenic city-state
homecoming · orchard · olive tree · shroud · vigil · recognition · reunion · suitors
Ophelia
Greek name meaning help
- PoloniusMeddling royal counselor
- DenmarkScandinavian constitutional monarchy
- ElsinoreDanish royal fortress
Claudius · Gertrude · Horatio · Fortinbras · prince · courtier · foil · duel · vengeance · grief
Polonius
Meddling royal counselor
lineage · family honor · bloodline · legacy · bereaved · orphaned · household · kinship · duty · obedience
fencing
Combat with blunted blades
hit · touch · foil · bout · swordplay · exchange · wound · scratch · treachery · pearl
vengeance
Retaliation for injury
- conspiracyClandestine coordinated scheming
- ClaudiusFourth Roman emperor
- duelPrearranged one-on-one combat
honor · fury · wrath · retribution · impulsive · mob · rebellion · justice · avenging · blood
Odysseus
Ithaca's long-wandering monarch
- TelemachusMythical prince of Ithaca
- PenelopeTraditional name, Greek origin
- IthacaIonian island, epic destination
Argos · homecoming · orchard · olive tree · shroud · vigil · recognition · reunion · suitors · faithful
LaertesHamlet
Danish prince's revenge tragedy
Prince Hamlet · Claudius · Horatio · Gertrude · Fortinbras