Perplexing Polonius In Shakespeare's Hamlet
Polonius is a one-dimensional character in William Shakespeare's play, Hamlet, but that does make him any less perplexing. Polonius is a father, a politician, and a comic throughout the play, making his character interesting. Polonius is a politician and under close observation, we can see how politics plays into his life. He is the king's right-hand man and knows how to play the games, talk the talk, and walk the walk. He is not below trickery - in fact, that is what gets him killed.Part of Polonius' appeal comes from the fact that Shakespeare is willing to make a fool out of him. While it would be normal for us to see him as a wise old man, Hamlet seems to defy this notion at every opportunity. It does not help that Polonius also seems to go against this idea at times when he becomes consumed with his social position. It could also be construed that Polonius was also being confused with something he was not and the final testament to this was Hamlet's mistaking him for the King in Gertrude's bedroom. Perhaps the most memorable Polonius scene is in Act I, Scene iii, when Polonius gives Laertes advice about to live with integrity. One of Shakespeare's most quoted phrases comes from this scene when he tells his son,
Again, we are seeing the foolish side of Polonius. Polonius is essential to Hamlet but he is not what we would call important. Polonius has one or two fantastic lines in the play but his voice is weak. Polonius is one-dimensional because he does not add anything significant to the play other than a few insightful lines and moments of comic relief. Polonius is a one-dimensional character in that he does not undergo any transformation. Polonius has no real, substantial voice in the play because he is often contradicting himself. He chastises her and makes her feel foolish for loving Hamlet. For example, He has Hamlet making fun of the old man with the old man almost oblivious to what is happening around him. Polonius may be perplexing but he is not essential. The scene with Hamlet feigning madness when he is with Polonius is also memorable in that Polonius seems to take Hamlet's jabs, or rather, he does not "get" them. This is exhibited with him being associated with the role of the fool. What power he does have in his life - that of being a father - is often filled with contradictions.
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