You know, I never really cared at all about Laertes until I had to be him and now I keep thinking, "He's not evil! He's not even mean! He's just really, really stressed!" And you're totally right, he's just like Hamlet really, except he's got a sister and that changes everything. Hamlet doesn't have anyone to take care of (I certainly don't count his mother), so he doesn't have anyone who might be hurt by his delaying to find out the truth; Laertes is worried that every second leaves his sister in greater danger, and the idea that she's totally gone . . . well, it breaks him and turns him into a more choleric Hamlet, essentially, who makes plans in secret and needs a confidant because he's really and truly all alone. He acts more like Hamlet when he no longer has anything or anyone to lose.

Also this guy has odd but interesting notes--I normally don't take notes in books because I am desperately afraid for them, I worry that others won't like that someone else has been at the book before them and imposed alien opinions and emphasis on the text . . . but really, this is just amusing, so perhaps I shall start writing in books after all.

. . . and stop writing in the comment box. ^^;;; *loves!*