Hamlet and Laertes are of a similar age, education, social standing, upbringing. They even share a similar fate, both being sons of murdered fathers who are seeking revenge. All of these details put them in a parallel position, which emphasizes the differences in their characters. Whereas Hamlet is an intellectual who thinks and overthinks, which makes him bitterly resent himself, Laertes is a young man who acts like his age. He doesn't ponder upon his revenge but wants it as soon as possible. Hamlet considers the risk and the cost, while Laertes wants his revenge at any cost. He is so eager to get back at Hamlet that he even resorts to dishonesty, picking a sharpened and poisoned sword in their duel. Once he gets a taste of his own medicine, being himself pierced with the poisoned sword ("I am justly killed with mine own treachery"), he admits everything to Hamlet and wants to reconcile. So, their basic difference between them is that Laertes acts where Hamlet thinks. But the point where they meet is when both of them kill, and nullify the murder by committing another murder. Dying, Laertes says: "Exchange forgiveness with me, noble Hamlet. / Mine and my father’s death come not upon thee, / Nor thine on me."
