Polonius In Hamlet Act 3

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My least favourite secondary character of act three would be Polonius. The reason for my distaste towards Polonius in this act is predominantly as a result of the actions he portrays towards other characters in this act. Firstly, he uses Ophelia for his sinister plans to expose the root to Hamlet’s true craziness. Polonius describes how “with devotion's visage, and pious action, we do sugar o’er the devil himself” (Hamlet. 3. 1. 47-49). This line truly expounds two key characteristics of Polonius; his cunningness and controllingness. He describes how with devotion's visage, meaning with a display of virtuous behaviour; they will sugar o’er the devil himself, concealing the the true wickedness of his plan to expose the root of Hamlet’s craziness. …show more content…
As well, in the same line, the reader recognizes how he uses innocent characters to achieve his ulterior motives. The virtuous actions Polonius describes in his plan will be done by Ophelia, his daughter, who he has convinced to aid him in his plan to spy through his position as her father; spreading his wickedness to an innocent girl. Ophelia is not the only women Polonius controls in this act, but also Claudius’ wife Gertrude. After Ophelia’s failed attempt to expose the root of Hamlet’s craziness, Polonius requests Claudius to “let his Queen mother all alone entreat him to show his grief; let her be round with him; and I’ll be placed, so please you, in the ear of all their conference” (Hamlet. 3. 1. 184-187). Once more, Polonius expounds his cunningness and controllingness through his desire to seek the root to Hamlet’s craziness, except, now he intends to use Gertrude for his ulterior motives; ultimately poisoning her with his

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