Characters in Hamlet and Claudius

Polonius uses his servant Reynaldo and his daughter Ophelia as tools to achieve his own ends, which meets the criterion of being interpersonally exploitative of Narcissistic Personality Disorder. In Act 2 Scene 1, after Laertes went to France, Polonius went to talk to Reynaldo. As Polonius says, “And thus do we of wisdom and

Polonius shows the need to manipulate a situation regardless if it concerns him or not. This is especially seen through the relationship with his children. Without even knowing the full situation, Polonius has jumped into trying to

Firstly, Fortinbras is very open and bold about avenging his father’s death and killing the new king of Denmark. Everyone knows about his plan to attack Denmark even Horatio, a friend of Hamlet who attends

Fortinbras is threatening Denmark with vicious attack; the throne is stolen from its rightful owner; incest is being committed on the throne, and Denmark is being viewed as an appallingly weak monarchy. As the disturbance of the Great Chain of Being begins, it only shows signs of getting worse. The fact that Old Hamlet and Claudius are royal opposites does not help anything either. Old Hamlet is known as “a ‘majestical’ king and a great soldier”, and Claudius is known as “a smiling, creeping, serpent” (Wilson 58,44), while Old Hamlet’s “wisdom and human understanding” is contrasted with the depravities of Claudius, “murderer and usurper” (States 94,98). These profound divergences between Old Hamlet and Claudius are certainly dooming for Denmark’s Great Chain as they induce calamity.

The imagery is Claudius's response to hearing of Polonius’s death puts a lot of emphasis on the brutality of the deed, using words such as ‘heavy’, ‘threat’, ‘bloody’, and ‘vile’, which highlights the

Oftentimes, the minor characters in a play can be vital and, among other things, function to further the action of the play or to reveal and illuminate the personalities of other characters. In Hamlet, Fortinbras, the Norwegian Prince, serves as the most important foil of Hamlet and provides us with the actions and emotions in which we can compare to those of Hamlet and better reveal Hamlet’s own character. Because Hamlet and Fortinbras both lost their fathers and have sworn to avenge their deaths, Fortinbras is a perfect parallel of Hamlet. He was also very crucial to the play’s ending and to bring a remedy to the corruption that has plagued Denmark.

2. What happens in the discussion between Hamlet and the Gravedigger? What does Hamlet learn from his confrontation with Yorick's skull? What does he learn from his meditation on Alexander and Caesar?

Your highness King Claudius, Queen Gertrude, Laertes, Ophelia, and dear friends. Today, we mourn the loss of a man who rose above and beyond the life he was given, but we gather to celebrate this life. The life of a respected acquaintance, a beloved friend and a cherished father: Polonius. Although he deserves such, we do not need a grand cathedral to pay homage to Polonius. As only those closest to him gather here today, we remember Polonius as a political peacekeeper and a great man. It is important that we recognise his bravery and service to the crown. For myself, Polonius was a master and a mentor. Our relationship was never bound by blood, but Polonius acted as a father. With his political prowess and savvy, yet good-willed familiarity with the crown, he guided me through every facet of life in Elsinore.

9. Why has he sent for them? 10. What news do Voltimand and Cornelius bring back from Norway? 11. In lines 75-79, what request does Fortinbras (Norway) make of Claudius?

Act 2 - Question 1: What does Polonius ask Reynaldo to do in Act 2, scene 1? Discuss examples of spying and betrayal elsewhere in Act 2. In Act 2, scene 1 Polonius asks his servant Reynaldo to “Before you visit him, to make inquire of his behavior,” (73, 4) suggesting he goes to Paris, where Polonius’ son currently is residing, to go spy on his personal life and visit him and to find out from about what he has been up to and whom he has been hanging around. Polonius tells Reynaldo “’And, in part, him’ you may say, ‘not well;” (73, 19) suggesting Reynaldo will find out more information about Polonius’ son if he pretends to be an acquaintance of his, rather than ask direct and specific questions.

Polonius was true in being very noisy until the very end of his life. Polonius was so noisy that he even has Reynaldo spy on Polonius’s son Laertes. Polonius tells Reynaldo this: That they do know my son, come you more nearer Than your particular demands will touch it. Take you as’ twere some distant

In Act II, Polonius is telling Reynaldo to go spy on Laertes in France. He wants to know his sons true behavior and his true self. Polonius states, "Put on him/ what forgeries you please -- marry, none so rank / As may dishonor him...but breathe his faults so quaintly / That they may seem the taints of liberty / The flash and outbreak of a fiery mind."(II.i.21-23, 36-37) Polonius’s smearing of his child represents folks’ belief concerns with their kin, friends and other humans. Many people have beliefs that trying to act honest to get individuals to trust them, will actually work since they think they fooled them. They want their trust so badly that they will do anything to get it even if that means hurting someone or smearing someone’s reputation. Shakespeare uses Polonius to show how low mankind has fallen. He reveals the humans that do this lowly act so they can have a really good public image.

2. How does Claudius respond to the death of Polonius? Does he understand the implications of what happened? What will he do now?

Claudius is lenient and caring for Denmark’s’ people by letting the kingdom have freedom. Claudius is decisive and is quick to act. He states, “I your commission will forthwith dispatch, and he to England shall along with you. The terms of our estate may not endure hazard so near…” (III, iii. 3-6).

Polonius, the kings royal assistant, has a preoccupation with appearances. He always wants to keep up the appearance of a loving and caring person. Polonius appears like a man who loves and cares about his son, Laertes. Polonius speaks to his son with advice that sounds sincere but in reality it is rehearsed, hollow and without feeling. In reality Polonius lies, manipulates people and eavesdrops on peoples conversation. Polonius helps contribute to minor theme of