Polonius
Extended Character Analysis
Polonius is King Claudius’s advisor and Ophelia and Laertes’s father. He is concerned with appearances, especially the reputations of his children. His fatherly advice is well-intentioned but also generic and hypocritical, filled with clichéd aphorisms and self-serving recommendations. He does not shy away from meddling directly in his children’s lives, commanding Ophelia to avoid Hamlet and sending Reynaldo to keep tabs on Laertes in France. As a royal advisor, Polonius’s tactics are underhanded and shady, which makes him the perfect ally for King Claudius as they attempt to assess the threat that Hamlet represents.
Despite Polonius’s attempts to play the spymaster, he fails to properly diagnose Hamlet’s madness or uncover Hamlet’s plans. He is also complicit in Hamlet’s isolation because he forces Ophelia to betray Hamlet’s affections by first rejecting him and then spying on him. Though Hamlet treats Ophelia poorly when she spies on him, Polonius continues to assume that Hamlet’s madness stems from Ophelia’s rejection, and he treats the prince’s apparent infatuation with his daughter as a source of pride. Hamlet sees through Polonius’s schemes and frequently antagonizes Polonius by insulting him or ridiculing his inferior wit. Polonius’s advice to Laertes is full of generic aphorisms, which characterizes Polonius as a self-important and long-winded courtier who is more interested in appearances than true substance. However, different interpretations lend different levels of depth and complexity to Polonius.
Whether or not Polonius was involved in the plot to kill King Hamlet is never made explicit. Instead, readers must interpret Polonius through two broad lenses: he is either complicit in regicide or an ignorant opportunist. By reading Polonius as an ignorant opportunist, his loyalty to Claudius is founded on respect for the crown and a desire to advance his own family. By this reading, he is a foolish character whose contrivances backfire in tragic fashion. However, it can also be argued that Polonius either knew of or at least suspected Claudius’s treachery. By this reading, Polonius is an astute politician and ruthless manipulator who betrays the former king in order to advance his own position. It also explains his conspiratorial relationship with Claudius, who goes out of his way to emphasize Polonius’s importance to the crown.
Polonius contributes to the thematic conflict between appearance and reality that permeates Hamlet. He comes across as a tedious and slow-witted man, but he is also an incredibly influential figure within the Danish court. His advice to his children is superficially sound and he seems to genuinely care about their well-being, but he also spies on them and uses Ophelia as a means of manipulating Hamlet. So duplicitous is Polonius that he poses a constant cipher to readers and audiences, who must discern the intentions behind his ornate words and postures.
Expert Q&A
In Hamlet, why does Polonius send Reynaldo after Laertes?
In Hamlet, Polonius sends Reynaldo after Laertes to spy on him and ferret out gossip about him.
Why does Polonius read Ophelia's love letter and what are his plans?
Polonius reads Ophelia's love letter to Claudius and Gertrude to prove his loyalty and to explain Hamlet's madness. He believes Hamlet's madness stems from Ophelia's rejection, which he advised due to their difference in status. Polonius's plan involves spying on Hamlet during a conversation with Ophelia to confirm his theory, though it ultimately fails when Hamlet is unkind to her.
How would you describe the relationship between Polonius and Ophelia in Hamlet?
Polonius and Ophelia's relationship reflects a typical father-daughter dynamic of their era, with Polonius being protective and authoritative. He often advises Ophelia and opposes her relationship with Hamlet, suspecting Hamlet's madness and fearing political repercussions. Despite Polonius's genuine care, there's a sense that Ophelia is used as a pawn in political schemes. Nevertheless, Ophelia remains obedient, reflecting her duty as a daughter in a complex social and political landscape.
How does Polonius treat Laertes and Ophelia differently in Hamlet?
In Hamlet, Polonius treats Laertes and Ophelia very differently. He seems to feel closer to Laertes, speaking to him less formally than he does to Ophelia, and he trusts Laertes enough to allow him to travel abroad on his own. Ophelia, on the other hand, he does not even trust with her own relationships at home. Polonius treats Laertes with respect, like an equal, but he talks down to Ophelia, scoffing at her words and even insulting her judgment.
What is the significance of Polonius' death in Hamlet?
The significance of Polonius' death in Hamlet is that it triggers a series of tragic events that lead to the play's bloody conclusion. Hamlet's impulsive act of killing Polonius sets Claudius into a panic, leading to Hamlet's exile and the deaths of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern. It also drives Ophelia to madness and Laertes to seek revenge, ultimately resulting in a chain of deaths, including Hamlet and Claudius.
What purpose does the Polonius-children subplot serve in Hamlet?
What do flat characters, like Polonius, contribute to Hamlet's plot?
Flat characters like Polonius contribute significantly to the plot by driving key events and providing contrast to the protagonist. Polonius's accidental death at Hamlet's hands sets off a chain of events, including Laertes's quest for revenge, paralleling Hamlet's own mission. Such characters, though not deeply developed, help advance the plot and explore thematic elements like loyalty and manipulation. They also provide comic relief and serve as foils to round characters, enhancing the narrative's complexity.
Interpretations of Polonius's assertion about the players and Hamlet's response
Polonius's assertion about the players and Hamlet's response can be interpreted as a reflection of their respective characters. Polonius, being verbose and self-important, sees the players as a means to an end, while Hamlet, who is more contemplative and critical, uses the interaction to reveal deeper truths about human nature and his own situation.
The significance of Hamlet referring to Polonius as Jephthah
Hamlet refers to Polonius as Jephthah to highlight Polonius's willingness to sacrifice his daughter, Ophelia, for his own advantage, similar to how Jephthah in the Old Testament sacrifices his daughter. This comparison suggests Polonius is using Ophelia to uncover Hamlet's behavior, while also potentially insulting Polonius by referencing Jephthah's disreputable background.
Polonius's Advice to Laertes in Hamlet
In Hamlet, Polonius gives Laertes a series of practical and moral pieces of advice before he departs for France. Polonius advises Laertes to keep his thoughts to himself, avoid impulsive actions, and be friendly but not overly familiar. He stresses the importance of maintaining close relationships with trusted friends while being cautious with new acquaintances. Polonius also warns against quarrels, advises careful listening, prudent judgment, and prudent financial habits. His famous advice "to thine own self be true" underscores the importance of personal integrity. This advice remains relevant today for its emphasis on wisdom and self-awareness.
Polonius's Character, Role, and Relationships in Hamlet
In Hamlet, Polonius is portrayed as a devious, manipulative, and long-winded character who is more concerned with gaining favor at court than his children's welfare. He interprets Hamlet's behavior towards Ophelia as madness due to unrequited love, hoping this discovery will earn him favor with Claudius. Polonius's tendency to spy, as seen when he sends Reynaldo to Paris and eavesdrops on Hamlet, ultimately leads to his downfall. Hamlet treats Polonius with contempt, mocking him as a fool and using him to enhance his feigned madness. Polonius's death results from his meddling, as Hamlet mistakenly kills him while he is spying.
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