Laertes in the stage and film version of Hamlet In the 1990 version of Hamlet starring Mel Gibson, Laertes is portrayed in a very poor light. It seems to have no redeeming qualities. At certain points in the script, Laertes' actions can be performed completely differently than how they are conveyed in the film. In the film version of Hamlet, all the negative aspects of Laertes are much more pronounced. As presented in the film, Laertes is a sore loser. The text version of the play has Laertes simply say "No" after Hamlet lands his first blow. In the film, Laertes shows much more emotion. His anger towards Hamlet is evident, as is his frustration at being shot, as he screams in protest at the mediator's call. Then, to prove what a bad sport he is, he lunges at Hamlet when Hamlet turns his back on Laertes. Laertes did not have enough courage or confidence in his own fighting abilities to land a fair blow on Hamlet and succeed. After the second blow, Laertes demonstrates much the same emotions, screaming in frustration and anger. In the text of the play, Laertes agrees with Claudius to fight Hamlet and use the poison on his blade to kill him. As presented in the text, Laertes' killing of Hamlet will be enough for his revenge. However, in the film, it is obvious through his actions and mannerisms that it is not enough for Laertes to simply kill Hamlet, but he must make Hamlet look like a fool while doing so. This is why Laertes gets so angry in the film when Hamlet gets a hit; Laertes wanted to discredit Hamlet before killing him. Laertes makes another unfair move in the film: he wounds Hamlet while Hamlet is on the ground with his back turned. In the text, Laertes wounds Hamlet during their fight... in the center of the paper... in the text, there are many differences between them that are based on interpretation. These differences are especially evident in the character of Laertes during the last scene. While his dislike of Hamlet is evident in the text version of the play, Laertes demonstrates much stronger feelings towards Hamlet in the film through his actions. Other aspects of Laertes' character, such as his cowardice and deviousness, manifest themselves through his actions and are therefore more evident in the film. The rearrangement of lines and events also portrays Laertes in a much more negative light in the film version. Overall, the film version of Hamlet allows the character of Laertes to be more well-rounded, and he is developed more of a villain in the film than he appears to be in the text. This development occurs mainly through his actions, as the words were the same ones Shakespeare wrote.