In Hamlet, what is the name of Laertes's father?

In Hamlet, Laertes's father is Polonius. Polonius serves as chief counsellor to King Claudius and is also the father of Ophelia, making him central to the play's family and political tensions.

Polonius is a talkative, self-important courtier who frequently gives advice while failing to understand the situations around him. Before Laertes leaves for France, Polonius delivers a long series of moral instructions, including the familiar counsel to be true to oneself. He later sends the servant Reynaldo to spy on Laertes, revealing that his concern is mixed with suspicion and control.

Polonius also tries to explain Hamlet's strange behaviour and helps Claudius spy on the prince. While hiding behind a curtain in Gertrude's chamber, he answers Hamlet's calls for help. Hamlet mistakenly—or recklessly—stabs through the curtain and kills him. That death drives Laertes to seek revenge and helps propel the final duel.

A common mix-up is confusing Polonius with Claudius, who is Hamlet's uncle and king of Denmark. Polonius's name also appears as Corambis in the First Quarto, an early version of the play.