Final answer:
In Act IV of Shakespeare's Hamlet, Laertes is described as B) 'passionate', reflecting his high emotional intensity and hastiness to seek revenge for his father's death.
Step-by-step explanation:
In Act IV of Hamlet, the character Laertes demands revenge after learning about his father's death. His behavior and dialogue throughout the act show him to be deeply emotional and eager for action. This intenseness in feelings and desire for vengeance can best be described as passionate. Laertes's passion contrasts with other characters' responses to conflict and highlights the varying human reactions to grief and injustice in Shakespeare's play.
Laertes's passion leads him to rash actions and an intense confrontation with King Claudius. Unlike the contemplative and philosophical Hamlet, Laertes is quick to act on his emotions. His passionate nature makes him a foil to Hamlet, showing a different path that grief and desire for revenge can take a person. Therefore, the word that best describes Laertes in Act IV of Hamlet is passionate, which is the correct option in answer to the student's question.