What About Polonius
One of the main characters in the play Hamlet, written by William Shakespeare, is Polonius. Polonius is the father of Laertes and Ophelia and is also the right hand man to the king, Claudius. He is a man who is nosy and is constantly babbling about something, yet is a loving father and a loyal servant to the state. Or is he? What exactly is the nature of Polonius? How important was he to Shakespeare's epic play? Did he really have to die? What about Polonius? The audience is first introduced to Polonius when his son, Laertes, decides that he wants to return to Paris to finish college. At first glance, through a long-winded speech, Polonius acts as a caring father should. He gives his son advice, such as, "Give every man thine ear, but few thy voice;" or "Take each man's censure, but reserve thy judgment." and "to thy own self be true." Later though, he talks about clothing and outward appearances. In fact he goes off on this subject warning Laertes to not look gaudy and rich. He seems more concerned about how Laertes appears to be then who he actually is. Polonius gives a double standard for the boy to follow. In that same act, after Laertes leaves, Polonius has another conversation
If Ophelia became involved with someone, then all the control that Polonius had over her would be lost. Ophelia dares not to speak against her father, for children were to respect their elders and women were to follow the directions of men. Polonius asks Renaldo, a close friend of his son, to go and check up on Laertes. Polonius is not as simple minded as he seems. By setting up Ophelia in Act III to try to find out the cause for Hamlet's madness, Polonius disregards his daughter's feelings. He is doing what he can to please the king, to gain the king's favor. Laertes was better off because he was in Paris and he was a young man, but he, too, was at his father's mercy. That is why he gave that double standard to Laertes in Act I. If the play ends with a clean slate, then Polonius has to die. Again, Polonius, by being a politician, has tasted the sweet rewards of power, and is no doubt hoping that he can taste more. Polonius tears right into the poor girl with comments such as, "You speak like a green girl,. Does he not think that she still has feelings for Hamlet? No, he does not think at all. He had tainted both his children, and since the state had to be cleaned, their death was essential. There is a whole lot more going on in the head of the bumbling fool then appears to be.
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