Hamlet Polonius Essay

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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,

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