In 'Hamlet', Polonius's son who returns from France is Laertes. He is Polonius's son, Ophelia's brother, and one of the play's most important contrasts to Hamlet.
Laertes is initially in France, where Polonius sends the servant Reynaldo to spy on his conduct. He returns to Denmark after learning that Polonius has died. Grief-stricken and furious, Laertes leads a crowd that storms the palace, believing Claudius has failed to give his family justice. Claudius then redirects his anger toward Hamlet.
Laertes and Hamlet mirror each other: both lose a father, both become consumed by revenge, and both are drawn into a fatal plot. Claudius arranges a fencing match in which Laertes uses a poisoned sword, with poisoned wine as a backup. The scheme collapses when the swords are exchanged, and Laertes confesses the truth before dying. His name echoes Laërtes, the father of Odysseus in Homer's 'Odyssey'.