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The Insanity Of Polonius In Shakespeare's Hamlet

Decent Essays

In addition to the king, Polonius abuses his status to further his plans, both as a lord and as a father. Polonius is able to use his daughter to spy on Hamlet based on his controlling yet caring nature. When Ophelia sees him, claiming Hamlet has written inappropriate letters to her, Polonius says, “Come, go we to the King. This must be known, which, being kept close, might move” (2.1. 119-120). While there is a sense of concern in his actions, Polonius conveys a controlling side with Ophelia. Letters from her lover are her personal possession, making it her choice whether she presents them to the king and queen. However, Polonius reads them out without her permission. This action displays the dominating appearance Polonius has as a father. In addition to not respecting her privacy, Polonius …show more content…

He succeeds and fails not due to an appearance, but rather a lack of one. As the role of the lord, Polonius plans with Queen Gertrude to arrange a confrontation with her son. Due to Polonius not stating his presence, Hamlet is under the pretense that he is conversing with his mother alone. The benefit is this situation is clear and useful. At this point, Polonius is certain that Hamlet is mad. However, in this conversation, Hamlet reveals the length his insanity goes to: he seems violent to his own mother. Hamlet exclaims, “Come, come, and sit you down; you shall not budge. You go not till I set you up a glass Where you may see the inmost part of you” (3.4. 19-21). Considering that Hamlet is commanding Gertrude to remain still and allow him to discover her, this exclamation has threatening implications. Due to this, Polonius reveals himself by yelling for help. Believing that he was Claudius, Hamlet stabs him out of anger. Meaning, what Polonius loses in this example is his life. If he acknowledged that he was in the room instead of pretending he was not, it is possible Polonius would not

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