Polonius Is Folish

Want to read the rest of this paper? Join Essayworld today to view this entire essay and over 50,000 other term papers

most select and
generous chief in that. Neither a borrower or a lender (be,) For (loan) oft loses both itself
and friend, And borrowing (dulls the) edge of husbandry. This above all: to thine own self
be true, And it must follow, as the night the day, Thou canst not then be false to any man.
(1. 3. 71-87) The advice that Polonius gives to Laertes is simple and sounds foolish being
told to a person of Laertes’ age. Martin Orkin comments on the nature of Polonius’
speech: 2 “Shakespeare’s first audience would recognize in Polonius’ predilection for such
commonplace expressions of worldly wisdom a mind that runs along conventional tracks,
sticking only to what is practically useful in terms of worldly self-advancement” (Orkin
179). Polonius gives Laertes simple advice, to keep his thoughts to himself and to never
lend or borrow money. While this advice is simple, when looked at in full context his
advice to his son is all about self-advancement. Polonius will go to all extremes to ...

Get instant access to over 50,000 essays. Write better papers. Get better grades. Already a member? Login

feels that he has to spy on his son. Joan
Hartwig comments on Polonius’ plan to spy on his son: “A machiavellian schemer who
takes his plotting to absurd proportions, Polonius pursues ‘indirection’ for its own sake.
His efforts to discover Laertes’ reputation in Paris assume that Laertes will not follow his
earlier advice; thus, the later words become a comic reduction of his previous sermon to
his son” (Hartwig 218). Another reason for Polonius’ foolishness is that Polonius is
convinced, and tries convincing others, that the reason for Hamlet’s madness is his love
for Ophelia. He tells Ophelia: Come, go with me. I will go seek the king. This is the very
ecstasy love, Whose violent ...

Succeed in your coursework without stepping into a library. Get access to a growing library of notes, book reports, and research papers in 2 minutes or less.

CITE THIS PAGE: