Hamlet

by William Shakespeare

Have a question? eNotes editors are standing by to help you.

In "Hamlet", what does Polonius' statement that "the apparel oft proclaims the man" mean?

music0909

Student

College - Junior

Posted by music0909 on October 16, 2008 at 9:12 AM and tagged with hamlet, polonius, quote

Rate this question:

» Flag as inappropriate
Message music0909

Share this question:

1 Answer | add yours

ms-mcgregor

Teacher

High School - 12th Grade

Editor Emeritus, Debater, Expert, Dickens, The Bard, Churchill

This is part of Polonius' parting advice to his son Laertes as he is leaving for France. In Act I, Scene 3, Polonius advises his son,
"Costly thy habit as thy purse can buy,
But...

(The entire answer is 126 words.)

This is an expert answer, written by an eNotes editor. To read the entire answer, please join eNotes.

Sources:
http://www.enotes.com/hamlet-text/act-i-scene-iii

Posted by ms-mcgregor on October 16, 2008 at 11:19 AM

Rate this answer:

» Flag as inappropriate
Message ms-mcgregor

Join for free to answer this question

Join a community of thousands of dedicated teachers and students.

Already a member? Sign in » JOIN eNOTES

Key Hamlet Questions

See all »

In "Hamlet" why does Hamlet tell Ophelia to go "to a nunnery"?  What reasons does he give when he says it?

asked by vladik1

At the end of Act 3 Scene 3, Why didn't Hamlet kill Claudius when he had the chance?

asked by princessperfect

Popular Links

Top Tags in Hamlet

See all »
Literature   Shakespeare   characters   claudius   gertrude   laertes   ophelia   polonius   themes  

Following Hamlet

See all »

lmetcalf

Editor, Debater, Expert, Educator, Dickens, The Bard

41,822 points

booboosmoosh

Editor Emeritus, Scholar, Debater, Expert, Educator, Scribe, Whitman, Poe, Dickens, The Bard, Churchill

139,272 points

dstuva

Editor, Debater, Expert, Dickens, The Bard

47,227 points

mwestwood

Editor Emeritus, Debater, Expert, Educator, Scribe, Whitman, Poe, Dickens, The Bard, Churchill

239,854 points

mrs-campbell

Editor Emeritus, Scholar, Debater, Expert, Scribe, Whitman, Poe, Dickens, The Bard

83,722 points