Are you too quick to make important decisions? Do you act before thinking? These quick decisions are common in the play Hamlet. Hamlet was written by William Shakespeare in 1589. The play takes place in Denmark. The protagonist is a prince named Hamlet. Hamlet's father dies suddenly and Hamlet's mother, Queen Gertrude, decides to marry Hamlet's uncle, King Claudius. Hamlet is gradually going mad and he wants revenge on his father's murderer. Laertes, the son of the king's associate, makes a bad decision in the play. When Laertes' father Polonius is killed, Laertes is outraged and seeks revenge. Laertes made a bad decision in the play, but he could have tried to use the decision-making process, weighing the possible alternatives, and he could have changed the outcome of the play if he had made careful decisions. Laertes' main decision in Hamlet was how to take revenge on Prince Hamlet for killing Polonius. The decision-making process involves seven steps. Laertes first had to identify the decision to make. Laertes followed this approach by seeking a solution to the death of his father. Next, Laertes should have gathered relevant information about his situation. Instead of this step, Laertes automatically assumed that he had to kill someone without knowing what really happened to Polonius. Next, Laertes should have identified his alternatives to the decision. Laertes did not explore alternatives in the play. He immediately met with the king and decided to kill Prince Hamlet without looking for other ways to approach the situation. After exploring alternatives, Laertes should have weighed the evidence for the situation. The only evidence Laertes had was the king's word that Hamlet... middle of paper... the king. By killing the king, they put Denmark in better hands and saved both their lives. Additionally, Ophelia and Hamlet could marry and ascend the throne. Just by changing Laertes' decision, Hamlet's ending changes completely. Everyone is alive and well except for King Claudius, and Denmark is not taken over by Fortinbras, an officer from a foreign country. By using the decision-making process, creating alternatives and choosing the best outcome, Laertes would have completely changed the situation. play, Hamlet. Laertes could have used steps two, three, and four of the decision-making process to make an informed decision. Furthermore, Laertes may have wanted to explore his many alternatives and outcomes before making his decision. Finally, Laertes should have told Hamlet about Polonius' death. Think before you act and don't judge too quickly.