Hamlet Group

Question:

cvw
cvw
Student
Community / Jr. College

How does Polnius conversation w/Reynaldo change our opinion of the counselor? What verbal mannerisms does Shakespeare give Polnius that now are comic?

Act II

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Posted by cvw on Tuesday April 7, 2009 at 3:59 PM and tagged with characters, hamlet.

Answers:


  1. frizzyperm Teacher
    College - Senior

    Polonius is a misunderstood character. He is often portrayed as a bumbling wordy fool who is incompetent and annoying. But the scene with Reynaldo strongly disproves this portrayal.

    Here we see Polonius the spy-master setting a 'ghost' on his own son to make sure he doesn't get in to any serious scandal. He instructs Reynaldo with subtle and clever ways to get information  and accurately lists the things a fun-loving young man at university. He is 'in touch' enough to know that his son will probably be drinking, gambling, fighting and whoring! 

    Polonius is a smart thinker and a talented planner. He understands people and how to make them do what he wants. He knows the world and how to succeed in it. He is a successful, skillful politician, and not a 'comedy fool'.

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    Posted by frizzyperm on Wednesday April 8, 2009 at 2:58 AM