Polonius advises his children by the use of axioms. He explains to Ophelia want not to do. He also tells his son Laertes what to do. The problem with this is he does not monitor his own actions. Shakespeare shows a great example of this is Hamlet. It is interesting how the advice changes from male to female, and how it changes in everyday life.
             Polonius tells Laertes, his son, that he should be a true gentleman. He talks about not fighting, yet if in a fight to win, look rich and not gaudy, and "do not dull thy palm with entertainment of each new-hatched, unfledged courage." (1.3.70-1) This basically means that Polonius would rather his son to stay out of trouble and control himself to keep the family name in good respect. Polonius pronounces to Laertes that he must not allow his self to borrow from others, or others to borrow from him. This is strange because everyone needs someone else to rely on in times of need. Polonius's greatest piece of advice is "to thine own self be true". (1.3.84) This talks of how Laertes must tell the truth, be kind, and respect others. This is so Laertes is proud of himself and so others will respect Laertes. This will allow Laertes to focus on his studies and not so much on trying to fit in. "Thou canst not then be false to any man" is the last axiom given to Laertes by Polonius. This says lying is bad. This is important to Laertes because if he lies he will not have honor. The loss of honor results in no respect to get a job. That would condemn Laertes to a struggle to survive.
             Polonius talks much different to Ophelia, his daughter, than he did to Laertes, his son. Polonius from the start says that Hamlet is bad and is trying to just get with her. He tells her not to get caught up the moment. When Polonius says, "Have of your audience been most free and bounteous..." he explaining to Ophelia that he does not trust her and that she mus...