The Effectiveness Of Polonius In Hamlet By William Shakespeare

Polonius: Polonius is consistently presented as comic relief here. This can be seen most easily in one of his first miniature “speeches” in the scene, when despite acknowledging that “brevity is the soul of wit,” he takes ten lines merely to inform Claudius and Gertrude of what they know already - that their son is mad. This is an amusing episode for the audience, as by admitting that wit is denoted by brevity and then failing to demonstrate any ability to be brief, Polonius effectively calls himself witless and the audience laughs at his ignorance of his own inferior intelligence. It is plain that this is evident as much to the other characters as to the audience, as Gertrude makes clear with her gently mocking entreaty “more matter with less …show more content…
As we are reminded, he has already ordered her in a previous scene to “lock herself from his [Hamlet’s] resort,” without consideration for how this may hurt her feelings or break her heart. However, now he does the opposite - he throws Ophelia into Hamlet’s path, considering only the effect on his feelings, and not for a moment that on hers. He also violates her privacy by showing Hamlet’s love letter to the King and queen. Perhaps most shocking is his suggestion that he “loose” his daughter to Hamlet - the verb implies that she is his captive and that he will release her on Hamlet. The language reduces her almost to the level of an obedient pet and conveys the degree to which Ophelia’s freedom is restricted by the will of her father. Polonius is obviously a poor father, thinking only of his own concerns and not of those of his daughter.

Gertrude: Gertrude demonstrates considerably more compassion in this passage. While previously she seemed not to understand the depth of Hamlet’s grief on his father’s behalf, asking him “why seems it so particular with thee?” However here she shows a far greater sense of the reasons for his misery and madness, citing these as “his father’s death and our o 'erhasty marriage.” Further she demonstrates a deep pity for his situation, calling him a “poor wretch.” This increases our liking for her significantly, as she previously seemed entirely devoid of …show more content…
While Gertrude finally seems to understand the depth of feeling Hamlet’s father’s death has invoked in her son, it appears that the King remains utterly bemused by it. He seems insistent that Hamlet must be moved by something “beyond his father’s death.” Although speaking under the guise of a concerned relative, we know from scene two that Claudius sees Hamlet’s grief as nothing more than “unmanly.” From this it is plain that his real motivation in having Rosencrantz and Guildenstern come is to probe Hamlet for information - “to gather so much as from occasions you may glean.” Perhaps this is a glint of paranoia becoming visible, as he fears discovery of the crime he committed. Whether this is the case or not, his concern for Hamlet is likely nothing more that superficial and his lack of compassion will cause him to sink further in the opinion of the