Hamlet Polonius Essay

Words: 2312

Pages: 10

Open Document

The character of Polonius is one of the most well written manipulative characters

in all of Shakespeare’s plays, as he may be perceived in many different ways. While it is

up to the actor as to how to portray Polonius on stage, while reading Hamlet it can be

seen that Polonius has all of these plans to essentially “trap” Hamlet to find the cause for

the Prince’s insanity. This characterization of Polonius is easily looked over since he

often makes long-winded statements that make him out to be the blabbing fool.

However, Polonius has all of these schemes to set Hamlet up to supposedly discover the

cause of Hamlet’s madness. By exploring Polonius’ manipulation and his elaborate traps

and plans, the audience may find that this flaw puts a …show more content…
Polonius literally says the same thing over again, but it serves no purpose. He also gives

pointless facts and interjections, such as: “’To the celestial, and my soul’s idol, the most

beautified Ophelia’ –That’s an ill phrase, a vile phrase, ‘beautified’ is a vile phrase”

(2.2.109-11). Polonius says this in response to Hamlet’s love letter to Ophelia, which

does not add reasoning to him making this comment.

A less common reading of Polonius is that of the manipulator. This interpretation

of him is really left up to the actor, if he chooses to portray the character as such. There

are small hints through out the text that point to Polonius’ darker side but it is something

that must be examined closely. Looking back at act 2 scene 1, Polonius is telling

Reynaldo to spy on Laertes. Not only is Polonius giving Reynaldo permission to spy, but

Polonius is telling Reynaldo how to spy on him:

POLONIUS. Enquire me first what Danskers are in Paris, / and how, and who,

what means, and where they keep, / what company, at what expense; and finding /

by this encompassment and drift of question / that they do know my son,

Hamlet: Hamlet and Polonius Essay

Home : Hamlet : Study Guide : Summary and Analysis of Act 2 Hamlet Summary and Analysis by William Shakespeare Buy PDFBuy Paperback Act 2 Summary Scene 1 Act Two begins with Polonius speaking to one of his servants, Reynaldo, about his son, Laertes, who has by this time returned to Paris. We see Polonius in the act of sending Reynaldo after Laertes to inquire into his son’s conduct. He instructs Reynaldo very precisely in the method of obtaining this information. First, Reynaldo is to…

Words 1348 - Pages 6

Polonius Manipulation In Hamlet Essay

these characteristics may be helpful in most cases, these burdens got Polonius, from William Shakespeare’s, Hamlet, murdered. The persuasive and unfiltered language Polonius used throughout the story was for the sole purpose of manipulation- whether it was for a promotion or to get a job done. This behavior mixed with his eagerness and narcissistic behavior caused Polonius’ demise. Eagerness Quick to spout off at the mouth, Polonius’ ambition made…

Words 760 - Pages 4

Why Is Ophelia Holding Hamlet

When reading Act 3 of Shakespeare’s Hamlet, Ophelia is often described as holding a prayer book in scene 1. Although Shakespeare himself does not say what she is holding, she is described this way because at the time period in which Hamlet is set, the only acceptable reason for a lady to be alone was if she was praying. Michael Gooch refutes this assumption in his essay about Hamlet. In his essay, the practicalities of Ophelia holding both remembrances and a prayer book are discussed. Gooch also…

Words 574 - Pages 3

Essay Hamlet: Hamlet and Ophelia’s Happiness

Essay Topic #3 A girl without freedom, a mind of her own, a mother, a father, a boyfriend, or anything that mattered; Ophelia had no life at all. Ophelia is a character from the play Hamlet by William Shakespeare. She is the daughter of Polonius, sister of Laertes and lover of Prince Hamlet. Although she had three people there for her, they truly weren’t there for her own interests. Her father Polonius, is too busy getting people to like him by using Ophelia. Her brother…

Words 639 - Pages 3

Essay about Ophelia: Hamlet and Love Hamlet Displays

always have the opportunity to make decisions for you, if given the opportunity. In the play, Hamlet, one character’s influential ability on another’s desires and ambitions is prevalent. Polonius’ daughter, Ophelia, struggles between obeying her family’s mandates regarding Hamlet, and accepting her desire for love. In Hamlet, two sources of Ophelia’s madness are her brother and father, Laertes and Polonius. When Ophelia is first introduced, her brother is strictly warning her about Hamlet’s erratic…

Words 1196 - Pages 5

History: Suicide and Native Brazilians Essay

offensive at some point to people that viewed things as the society and church. In one soliloquy “To be or not to be”, Hamlet is contemplating on whether to commit suicide which in this case he sees it as taking the easy way out or not to be, meaning to take responsibility of what the ghost has told him and discover himself if Polonius is responsible for his fathers death. Hamlet is disappointed by almost everyone, his mother who shortly after his father’s death got remarried to his uncle who he hates…

Words 867 - Pages 4

Similarities Between Olympics And Ophelia

Olympics This essay is written about comparing between Ophelia and Olympic games. Frankly, there are not so many similarities between of those two. Ophelia is a character of the play, Hamlet and Olympics is a big festival for the entire world. Ophelia is innocent woman. In Hamlet Act 3, she is used by others very usually. She falls in love with Hamlet, so she died too early because of that. Ophelia obeys her family, her father Polonius and her brother Laertes. Thus she helps Polonius and Claudius…

Words 391 - Pages 2

Lion King Versus Hamlet

The Lion King and Hamlet Compare and contrast essay Movies every so often are based upon other movies, books or plays. These films contain similar content and differences with a bit of a twist. In the famous Disney movie “The Lion King” and Shakespeare “Hamlet “ , there’s seen to be a great amount of similarities and difference between both great movies. As odd as it seems, the typical audience of both differentiate but when analyzed, they both reflected off each other. Noticeably, the first similarity…

Words 526 - Pages 3

Hamlet Essay

Hamlet Essay Ophelia’s role in William Shakespeare’s The Tragedy of Hamlet is quite confusing. Throughout the play, Ophelia is portrayed as gentle, loyal and obedient, but hides in the background like a supporting actress. She is intended to be Hamlet’s love interest, yet he doesn’t include her in any of his life-changing plans. Ophelia has no major qualities, yet her life and death have an incredible influence on most characters, especially Hamlet. Throughout the entirety of the play, Ophelia…

Words 812 - Pages 4

Hamlet Essay

Being Displaced in Hamlet The quality in such plays that does shake us, however, derives from the underlying fear of being displaced, the disaster inherent in being torn away from our chosen image of what and who we are in this world. Among us today this fear is as strong, and perhaps stronger, than it ever was. In fact, it is the common man who knows this fear best. (Miller, 2). _________________________________________________ Arthur Millers argument of the play Hamlet written by William…

Words 1329 - Pages 6