Megalomaniacs display desperation for power through acts of manipulation. Manipulation allows cynical people who are so driven by their own desires to succeed. Throughout Shakespeare’s Hamlet, three characters use manipulation to achieve their individual ambitions thus creating conflict within the royal family. Hamlet, the prince of Denmark and son of the deceased king, uses manipulation to gain revenge against Claudius; Claudius, the new King of Denmark and brother of the deceased king, uses manipulation to gain the throne and remain in power; Polonius, advisor to Claudius and father to Ophelia and Laertes, uses manipulation for power and knowledge. Shakespeare highlights the difference between manipulation for self desires and for seeking
…show more content…
This is directly related to the reputation of the father being tied to that of his children. His self obsession is exposed while advising his children not to “tender [him] a fool” (1.3.118). Instead of being a father-figure to his children, Polonius focuses on his own image by demanding the children be cautious of their actions in order to protect his own image. Because there is a lack of trust between Polonius and Laertes, Polonius sends his servant Reynaldo to France to guarantee Laertes has not stained his name. Polonius demands Reynaldo “to make inquire of his behavior” before visiting him (2.1.4-5). To gain the truth about Laertes actions he must ask others around the town. Reynaldo’s “bait of falsehood take this carp of truth” (2.1.70). By using false information about Laertes as the bait, it will encourage others to tell the truth and share the knowledge they have on him. Shakespeare uses the metaphor to compare bait to false information and a carp as the truth. He will gain information “with windlasses and with assays of bias” (2.1.72). This comparison of sailing a ship to the manipulation explains how one can not sail in a straight line but in zig zags. Reynaldo himself is sailing in zig-zags to reach his destination by questioning the others before reaching the knowledge he gains of Laertes. The devotion Polonius puts forth in order to secure his reputation demonstrates his obsession to gain
This is directly related to the reputation of the father being tied to that of his children. His self obsession is exposed while advising his children not to “tender [him] a fool” (1.3.118). Instead of being a father-figure to his children, Polonius focuses on his own image by demanding the children be cautious of their actions in order to protect his own image. Because there is a lack of trust between Polonius and Laertes, Polonius sends his servant Reynaldo to France to guarantee Laertes has not stained his name. Polonius demands Reynaldo “to make inquire of his behavior” before visiting him (2.1.4-5). To gain the truth about Laertes actions he must ask others around the town. Reynaldo’s “bait of falsehood take this carp of truth” (2.1.70). By using false information about Laertes as the bait, it will encourage others to tell the truth and share the knowledge they have on him. Shakespeare uses the metaphor to compare bait to false information and a carp as the truth. He will gain information “with windlasses and with assays of bias” (2.1.72). This comparison of sailing a ship to the manipulation explains how one can not sail in a straight line but in zig zags. Reynaldo himself is sailing in zig-zags to reach his destination by questioning the others before reaching the knowledge he gains of Laertes. The devotion Polonius puts forth in order to secure his reputation demonstrates his obsession to gain