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Glite Dictionary
Laertes

Laertes

13 9.9
A king of Ithaca in Greek myth and father of Odysseus
  • proper noun
  • Literature
: Laertes
  • Laertes is a character in Greek mythology known for being the father of Odysseus.

Examples

  • Then I'll take Laertes, by your leave.

    Ophelia (2019)

  • - Stay, my lord Laertes.

    Hamlet (1990)

  • And now, Laertes, what's the news with you?

    Hamlet (1948)

  • Come for the third, Laertes, you do but dally.

    Hamlet (1948)

  • But I'm very sorry, good Horatio, that to Laertes I forgot myself.

    Hamlet (1948)

  • Laertes challenged Hamlet in the matter of your father's death.

    Ophelia (2019)

  • You'll be Ophelia's brother, Laertes.

    Renaissance Man (1994)

  • Laertes politely begs the King's permission to return to France.

    Academic text (2002)

  • As Laertes angrily reminds Claudius, his father has had "no trophy, sword, nor hatchment o'er his bones."

    Academic text (2002)

  • Structurally, of course, Hamlet plays the royal family off against the Privy Councillor's family, most dramatically Hamlet against Laertes as sons who must avenge their fathers.

    Academic text (2002)

Surface Forms

Laertes main

Etymology

Laertes comes from the old Greek name Laërtes and is famous in Homer's stories as the patient 'father' and king of Ithaca who waited many years for his son Odysseus. So, the name Laertes brings to mind an old, patient king and father who kept going while he waited.