As stated in the similarities, both men's fathers are murdered. However, the way they are murdered is different. Hamlet's father is murdered by Claudius, and Laertes' father is murdered by Hamlet. King Hamlet is killed by poison and Polonius is pierced by a sword. Each of these differences helps to increase the significance of Laertes as a foil to Hamlet. Since both are out for revenge, they kill each other to avenge their father's murders. These differences, the different murders of their fathers, give rise to the duel, which results in the death of both