Reputation is something that is lacking in Polonius ever since the death of King Hamlet. At one point, Polonius was very close to the deceased King, getting as close as he could towards royalty. Since he wasn’t born into a life of aristocracy, the closest he could get to wearing the crown was to remain close, often being too involved with the proceedings at the royal grounds. His hypocritical attitude throughout the novel conveys his loss of integrity that ultimately ends with death and wasted respect. Polonius would rather put everything at stake to maintain his position, rather than serving an actual purpose.
The prestige Polonius had during King Hamlet’s reign is lost with his constant self reassurance. The lengthy responses he produces …show more content…
But let that go… This in obedience hath my daughter shown me, And more above, hath his solicitings, As they fell out by time, by means, and place, All given to mine ear.” (Act 2 Scene 2) Hamlet is clearly distressed due to his father’s death, and the marriage that soon followed. Hamlet conveys his interest and disinterest towards Ophelia. Rather than Polonius offering support towards her daughter, he uses the situation as an attempt to show his worth to the King. What Polonius had before is now gone, as Claudius is the new King. He needs to portray his worth, but by doing so he is losing his integrity especially towards his children. As Laertes is leaving towards France, his father assures the King, that he got impatient with his son asking him for his leave, “He hath, my lord, wrung from me my slow leave By laborsome petition, and at last Upon his will I sealed my hard consent. I do beseech you, give him leave to go.” (Act 1 Scene 2) Laertes is his son, so why does he need the King to know that he let him travel to France. Furthermore, the King doesn’t have the time to be controlling his child. Usually the father is the one who decides what the son can do. Polonius is a kiss ass, rather than taking control of his own life, he wants everyone to know that he’s faithful.
The prestige Polonius had during King Hamlet’s reign is lost with his constant self reassurance. The lengthy responses he produces …show more content…
But let that go… This in obedience hath my daughter shown me, And more above, hath his solicitings, As they fell out by time, by means, and place, All given to mine ear.” (Act 2 Scene 2) Hamlet is clearly distressed due to his father’s death, and the marriage that soon followed. Hamlet conveys his interest and disinterest towards Ophelia. Rather than Polonius offering support towards her daughter, he uses the situation as an attempt to show his worth to the King. What Polonius had before is now gone, as Claudius is the new King. He needs to portray his worth, but by doing so he is losing his integrity especially towards his children. As Laertes is leaving towards France, his father assures the King, that he got impatient with his son asking him for his leave, “He hath, my lord, wrung from me my slow leave By laborsome petition, and at last Upon his will I sealed my hard consent. I do beseech you, give him leave to go.” (Act 1 Scene 2) Laertes is his son, so why does he need the King to know that he let him travel to France. Furthermore, the King doesn’t have the time to be controlling his child. Usually the father is the one who decides what the son can do. Polonius is a kiss ass, rather than taking control of his own life, he wants everyone to know that he’s faithful.