Why Is Family Important In Hamlet

On William Shakespeare’s Hamlet, after the assassination of his father, Hamlet thinks he is living in a world full of corruption and deceit, where everything is falling apart and everyone is against him. An imminent, exaggerated, and passionate love for his mother is his main feature. Although others argue that Hamlet’s obsession to murder Claudius is strictly to claim revenge for his father’s death, it is Hamlet’s obsessive desire to possess his mother in an unhealthy and, perhaps incestuous, relationship. Hamlet also appears jealous of Claudius, his father-uncle, jealous of him for having Gertrude and for owning the crown. He lives a love-hate relationship with his mother. He is full of anger towards her, but at the same time he

Ophelia’s father, Polonius, wishes to keep his family’s honor in tact, and fears that Ophelia’s open regard for Hamlet will diminish his honor. Both Polonius and Laertes, Ophelia’s brother, believe that Ophelia’s preference for Hamlet will only end in disgrace for their family, as Hamlet would never marry her due to her lower social standing, therefore, they counsel her to break off any understanding with Hamlet. As a woman, Ophelia realizes her duty to her father and her brother, and therefore decides to disregard her own feelings about Hamlet and do as her father and brother wish.

Polonius refuses to allow Ophelia to pursue a relationship with Hamlet nor does he allow her to continue any relationship. “Tis told me, he hath very oft of late / Given private time to you, and you yourself / Have of your audience been most free and bounteous” (1.3.91-93). Laertes and Polonius justify the importance of the social reputation of their family, and how if something goes wrong with 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’ image and plans take precedence over his daughter’s physical and mental wellbeing. This leaves her vulnerable and in danger in regards to Hamlet. When Ophelia describes Hamlet accosting her, Polonius’ reacts by saying:

Polonius teams up with King Claudius and once again places demands on Ophelia which require her to disregard her own self to fulfill their wishes of deceiving Hamlet into revealing the cause of his erratic behavior. And once again, it is Ophelia’s duty to her father and this time to the king to be obedient. Disobedience to the king and his advisor are not an option. Polonius wants the king to look on him in good favor and he is willing to step on his daughter to get this admiration. He neglects Ophelia’s feelings by not even thinking of how his requests will affect her. He feels at liberty to request whatever he would like. He is purely worried about himself. Polonius holds a position of unquestioning authority over his daughter. He treats her as though she is not intelligent enough to make her own decisions and he knows that she will inherently obey him. To him her feelings are irrelevant and immature which he states when saying “Affection, puh, you speak like a green girl.”(1.3.101) Following her fathers instructions, she loses her lover and a piece of her happiness.

The first instance of Polonius’ overbearing nature is seen in Act 1, scene 3, where Polonius is giving “advice” to his daughter about Hamlet. Once Laertes heads to the ship, Polonius instantly demands Ophelia to tell him what her brother told her. Polonius hears his daughter talk about Hamlet and immediately states her reputation in the eyes of others. He states, “Have of your audience been most free and bounteous…you do not understand you so clearly as it behooves my daughter and your honor,” (Act 1, scene 3, 93-98). He makes it clear that she is making herself very available for Hamlet and not conducting herself in a fashion that is appealing to her name. It’s obvious that Ophelia fancies Hamlet’s romantic advances on her, but Polonius doesn’t care for her independent thinking. He ridicules her calling her a “green girl” a “baby” for thinking that Hamlet’s offers of affection are real (Act I, scene 3, 101-105). The scene ends with Polonius reminding Ophelia that Hamlet’s intentions are not to love, but empty promises sought to advance in sexual acts. Although Ophelia strongly feels love for Hamlet, she listens to her father’s advice and ends the scene with “I shall obey, my lord,” (Act 1, Scene 3, 136).

Polonius is appalled and states, "Affection? Pooh! You speak like a green girl . . ." (1.3.102). Polionus' quick judgment of their love for each other has caused him to speak this way. He claims that their love is unreal and he belittles her by saying she talks like she is immature and does not know anything. He states, "Think yourself a baby that you have ta'en these tenders for true pay which are not sterling" (1.3.106-108). Polonius tries to convince Ophelia not to accept love like any baby would, because babies are unaware of what kind of love they are being presented. Polonius is not interested in what Ophelia wants, "Tender yourself more dearly, or—not to crack the wind of the poor phrase, running it thus—you'll tender me a fool" (1.3.108-110). He believes she should offer herself more costly to someone else because he does not want to be embarrassed by their relationship. Ophelia disagrees, but he threatens her by saying, "Have you so slander any moment leisure as to give words or talk with the Lord Hamlet. Look to't, I charge you" (1.3.134-136). He forbids her from seeing Hamlet at all, and if she even speaks to him, Polonius will punish her. In Shakespeare A to Z, Charles Boyce states, "He bars Ophelia from any contact with Hamlet, presuming that the prince's professions of love cannot be truthful . . ." (509). Polonius comes up with the conclusion that Hamlet's feelings are wrong and that she cannot see him

The “Need of Belonging” has distinctive attributes that an individual needs to fully develop in that area. These attributes include; “friendship, intimacy, affection, and love from work group, family, friends, romantic relationship” (McLeod para 11). In the play it is evident that Hamlet’s source of belonging has been taken away from him. From the death of his father, to the sudden marriage of his mother and uncle, and now the information that his uncle killed his father, it is evident that Hamlet does not feel as if he belongs within his family, which he states at the ending of the monologue, “I’m angry that my uncle has ulterior motives, that my mother is part of his schemes, that my father is buried six feet beneath. This so called family is an atrocity” (Line 27-28).

Throughout the interaction between Polonius, Ophelia, and Laertes in Scene iii, the father and royal advisor reestablishes his patriarchal dominion. Conflicting aspirations arise in Ophelia's love for Hamlet and Laertes’ seclusion in France, but Polonius is quick to condemn such acts that would bring doubt against the family name. Without regard to his children’s personal goals, Polonius reminds both Laertes and Ophelia that obedience to his word, rather than to their emotions, is necessary for continued success. As it relates to Ophelia’s relationship with the prince, Polonius warningly says “I would not...have you slander any moment leisure as to give words or talk with the Lord Hamlet” (Act I, Scene iii). “Slander” is an interesting word choice for him to give Ophelia.

The theme, family, in The Tragedy of Hamlet is major theme with lots of major points. This play is notorious for how it dwells on the issue of incest. In Shakespeare’s time, incest was a sin against God and the state. Queen Elizabeth I asked the Church of England to come up with a list of rules about marriage, basically a list of relatives who couldn’t marry, including in-laws. Also another focus is how politics can impact the dynamics of family. The values brought on by a parent are vital in developing a characters values and sense of purpose.

Contrary to Laertes’s, his lecture with her is about her relationship with Prince Hamlet, and believes his vows, “for they are brokers” (1.3.136). He means by this that Hamlet is just a pimp that is leading her to sinful acts. Polonius does not believe that he is being true when he says he loves Ophelia, and has a right not to. After all, he is the Prince, and royalty usually marry royalty. He also believes that Hamlet is just using her, and that she should “Tender yourself [Ophelia] more clearly, / Or (not to crack the wind of the poor phrase, / Running it thus) you’ll tender me a fool” (1.3.117-118).

The relationship that Polonius has with Ophelia is mainly controlling. Polonius wasn’t concerned with Ophelia until she mentioned her relationship with Hamlet which Polonius is solely against. Polonius tells Ophelia “Have you so slander any moment leisure as to give words or talk with the Lord Hamlet.” (I.iii.133-134) Polonius tells his daughter to cut off any contact she has with Hamlet because he doesn’t trust him and says she shouldn’t either. Not long after Hamlet starts acting crazy towards everyone especially with Ophelia.

Polonius also acquires his daughter to stop courting Hamlet by ordering her to instead of allowing her to decide for herself. He is looking out for his daughter. The King and Queen were very troubled at Hamlet’s superficial insanity. They tell Rosencrantz and Guildenstern that discovery of what is hypocritical with Hamlet would be “the supply and profit of our hope “(Hamlet 2.2.24). They are noticeably embittered at his behavior, and Polonius knows this, and tries to use his daughter to demonstrate his notion. When Ophelia approached and pronounced to him her get-together with Hamlet in Act I, Polonius instantaneously brought her to the King. Polonius, performing on his duty to “both God and to gracious king” (Hamlet 2.2.45) took Ophelia to Claudius to understand if he could be any assistance in demanding to find out what is iniquitous with Hamlet. He rapidly tells the King that he will “loose my daughter to him“(Hamlet 2.2.161) and fabricates a premeditated plan to do so. This plan, and Polonius’ role of Ophelia, is all to gratify the Royal Court, and has no space in it for Ophelia’s feelings. Polonius treats his daughter practically like one would use a mare, with his loos of her and organizes it so just to try and get on the respectable side of Claudius and Gertrude.

iii. 129-130). He is telling her to spend less time with Hamlet because he feels that his vows of love are not as true as Hamlet makes them seems to be. Just like Laertes, this advice suggests that Polonius does not think highly of Hamlet and also thinks he is childish and doesn 't actually love Ophelia. Their advice sets up their suspicions about Hamlet which leads Polonius to set up situations that will reveal Hamlet’s true feelings and show them he is not in fact mad because of Ophelia. The advice also causes Ophelia to distance herself from Hamlet, which raises some red flags in Hamlet’s mind and causes him to think that her family has something to do with it. Laertes tried to stay out of Ophelia 's love life for the most part, but Polonius had no problem inserting himself into his daughter’s life.