Introduction Of Polonius In Hamlet

Polonius is one of the most corrupt characters of the play. However, we can see that his corruption is in his nature and not caused only by the murder of King Hamlet. In his speech to his son, Leartes (I.iii), he opposes the virtue of being close-mouthed and discrete. Polonius later instructs his servant Renyaldo to spy on Laetes in Paris. This is very hypocritical of him as he is doing exactly what he condemned earlier. He also meddles into the relationship of Ophelia and Hamlet, without taking into account their feelings, and is only willing to satisfy his own goals. He does not want to offend the king or make it seem like he is pushing his daughter to marry Hamlet. Hamlet views Ophelia as someone pure, cares deeply about her and does not take into consideration their difference in stature. Unfortunately, Polonius manages to corrupt their innocent relationship. After Polonius spies on Hamlet, to prove his insanity to the king, Hamlet suspects Ophelia of being involved in the spying and plotting that has been occurring. He tells her that “God has given [her] one face, and [she] make [herself] another”(III.i.144-145). He tells her that she is an inconsistent and fickle

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

unknowingly kills Polonius because he believes it was the king (Claudius) spying on him and

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.

Issues of power are foremost in Polonius' mind. He immediately seeks the King in order to legitimate his accusations concerning Hamlet. By doing this, not only does Polonius gain power over Hamlet, but also with the King himself. Polonius tries to control the way Hamlet is seen around the court so as to rise in stature himself. Through his manipulation of Ophelia, Polonius becomes a character not as much concerned with familial ties as one whose concern rests within the world of court intrigue and position.

Polonius is, of course, not a fishmonger. Hamlet's motivation for speaking about honesty here is at best unclear. And why Hamlet suddenly spits out deep philosophical truths - as he does in the final line above - is nothing short of mysterious. Yet somehow Polonius, who can see Hamlet where we can only read his words, finds meaning in them: "Though this be madness, yet there is method in it" (2.2.207-208).

1.) In the opening scene of Act II, Polonius asks Reynaldo to go to Paris so he can spy on Laertes. He tells Reynaldo, “Observe his inclination in yourself” (II.i.71). This conveys how Polonius does not trust either of his children and how he is deceitful since he devises a cunning plan for Reynaldo to spy on his son. 2.)

The relationship is between Polonius and Laertes, is the ultimate bond. It is a bond, which contains the necessary love and respect in a father-son relationship, but yet it lacks the closeness, or real emotional bonding required in a true relationship. Polonius as a father loves Laertes and listens to him and councils him on different topics. He is proud of his son and his intelligence, yet he does not altogether trust this intelligence enough to let him use his own discretion in France. In the first scene of Act Two, we see Polonius

Polonius’ interactions with Hamlet are often the source of misinterpretations that Polonius is a bumbling fool. In every conversation, Polonius appears oblivious to the witty and cruel remarks Hamlet makes in response to his persistent questioning. Even when explicitly called a “fishmonger,” Polonius feigns surprised ignorance and suggests that Hamlet is insane rather than sarcastic (II.ii.187). He appears to continue ignoring Hamlet’s thinly veiled insults even when Hamlet compares Ophelia to “maggots in a dead dog,” assuming that Hamlet is “still harping on [his] daughter” (II.ii.669). However, Polonius is not the “tedious old fool” that he appears to be; just as Hamlet confessed to being “not in madness,/But mad in craft,” Polonius merely feigns stupidity (II.ii.224; III.iv.204-5). By pretending to be clueless, Polonius is able to question and study Hamlet further without

Polonius is telling Reynoldo to spy on his son, Laertes. During the conversation between Reynoldo, Polonius says, “Before you visit him, to make inquire, of his behavior" (2, 1, 4-5). Polonius believes that his son is not acting like a noble youth so he tells Reynoldo to watch his behavior. He tells Reynoldo ask people about his son. This tells us that Polonius does not trust his own son. He wants to use the information he finds about Laertes against him.

James L. Calderwood describes Polonius' counsel to his son: "imposing patterns of prudential wisdom on the departing Laertes--establishes the dominance of father over son…control through precept is reinforced by control through spying…in Act two scene one, where Polonius coaches Reynaldo in the subtleties of surveillance" (Calderwood 16). Ultimately, Polonius' advice to his children serves his own interests. He is consciously controlling his image as the wise old courtier and father, but he does not practice his own teachings. The wise old man routine is short-lived once his pre-occupations (his image and duties as lord chamberlain) are made clear.

love for her. Ophelia tells her father Hamlet importuned her with love in an honorable fashion. Polonius then, persuade her to leave Hamlet out of her heart, that there will be no love between her and prince Hamlet. Polonius is being a father and that causes him to be protective of his daughter. He continues to work his way into stopping daughter Ophelia from loving Hamlet.

While some Shakespearean characters may have deep, convoluted reasoning for their actions, the character Polonius from Shakespeare's Hamlet possesses a straightforward rationale driven by his love for his children and his devotion towards King Claudius. One of the first times we see Polonius, he is seeing his son, Laertes, off to France and giving him all kinds of advice concerning how to act. The reason he does this is to remind Laertes that his words and actions will reflect their family. In this same scene, Polonius is telling his daughter, Ophelia, not to get involved with Prince Hamlet. He believes that Hamlet may end up with another woman because of the politics of his position as prince.

Polonius uses Ophelia as a pawn and manipulates her to get information from Hamlet. When Polonius sees that Hamlet has gone mad, he thinks it is the result of Ophelia’s lack of affection. Claudius says “We have closely sent for Hamlet hither, / That he as ‘twere by accident, may here / Affront Ophelia”(III. i. 32-34). He then says that Polonius and him are going to listen to the conversation. Polonius is hoping that Hamlet shows signs that his madness is due to Ophelia and being lovesick. Polonius is manipulating Ophelia to do whatever he wants. He doesn 't seem to care what she wants. He just wants to be happy. First he tells her to

One of the more subtle elements of corruption in the play is the manner in which the court of Denmark functions. It is a game of favors, a constant play, with the director as the King, his subjects the players, and none more prominent than Polonius, the royal advisor. Polonius' two main faults lie in his ingratiating manner and his incessant spying. While he tells his daughter Ophelia that Hamlet is not true in his affections, he explains to the King that he warned Ophelia against Hamlet because the Prince it far above her station in life. Polonius perceives himself to be witty and tries to weasel his way around with actions and words to best fit the situation and above all benefit himself. His inclination to spy on people is obvious for he sends a man to France to find out how his son is behaving, he spies on his daughter while she is with Prince Hamlet, and he hides behind the arras to listen to the confrontation between the Queen and Hamlet. Rosencrantz and Guildenstern also try to win favor with the King, foregoing any friendship they once had with Hamlet, to 'play upon [him] . . . pluck out the heart of [his] mystery,' acting as little more than spies for the King, feigning friendship to obtain Hamlet's secrets (3.2.372-374).