The Death of Polonius
Hamlet has gone through a vast amount of change. His father is dead and his uncle, whom killed his father, is now married with his mother Gertrude. These changes have vastly effected Hamlet in a way in which he seeks revenge. Hamlet should not be held accountable for the death of Polonius. There are many factors contributed solely by Claudius himself, to prove that Hamlet in fact should not be held responsible.
First of all, Hamlet has his mind set that behind the curtain lies Claudius. His first thought is that this is his best chance at killing Claudius. He had no intention or desire to kill Polonius whatsoever. “He thought it was the chief and wished to kill him to avenge his father. He had meant to kill him earlier …show more content…
Claudius has only done things the wrong way. He has tried to make hamlet his son while at the same time, trying to eliminate him. Claudius scolds at Rosencrantz and Guildenstern and tells them “You can’t put your heads together and figure out why he’s acting so dazed and confused, ruining his peace and quiet with such dangers of display” (170; Act 3). In reality he does not care about Hamlet he could care less how he feels or what happens to him. Gertrude has gotten out of hand by supporting Claudius in everything he does. After the play she defends her beloved Claudius by telling Hamlet “Hamlet, thou hast thy father much offended” (184; Act 3). She does not stop and think how Hamlet may feel and why he is actually doing all of this. Hamlet, therefore, feels alone and is left abandoned to face all these problems alone. The one whom should take full responsibility is Claudius. He is the one who has provided all the pressure and has brought all theses issues upon Hamlet. It is his fault that Hamlet has acted irrationally and accidentally killed Polonius. Another thing that can be seen, is that Ophelia, daughter of Polonius, is the love of Hamlets life. He would not dare do such a thing knowing how distraught Ophelia would be. In the end she becomes crazy by the death of her father. She ends her own life because of Hamlets actions. Hamlet says to Laertes, as she is being put in the ground, “I love Ophelia. Forty …show more content…
He says to Polonius “and, as you said (and wisely was it said) ' Tis meet that some more audience than a mother—Since nature makes them partial—should o 'erhear The speech, of vantage. Fare you well, my liege. I’ll call upon you ere you go to bed and tell you what I know” (165; Act 3). Claudius is fully aware that if Hamlet hears someone behind the curtain he will think it is him and kill him instantly. He does not stop Polonius from going in and spying on them. All factors lead up to Claudius being the one truly responsible for the death of Polonius. As soon as Claudius receives the news of the death of Polonius he is happy to hear about it because he now has a reason to send hamlet off to be executed. “The Death of Polonius has placed Hamlet within the power of the King” (Bowers). Claudius has given orders and describes, “I like him not, nor stands it safe with us to let his madness rage. Therefore, prepare you and he to England as he shall go along with you” (163; Act 3). He has been waiting for an opportunity like this and he finally has it. Claudius is trying to get rid of him as soon as possible. He says to his attendants, “follow him at foot. Tempt him with speed aboard. Delay it not. I’ll have him hence tonight. Away!” (199; Act 4). Claudius, can not wait any longer and sends Hamlet off. He has no idea that
Hamlet has gone through a vast amount of change. His father is dead and his uncle, whom killed his father, is now married with his mother Gertrude. These changes have vastly effected Hamlet in a way in which he seeks revenge. Hamlet should not be held accountable for the death of Polonius. There are many factors contributed solely by Claudius himself, to prove that Hamlet in fact should not be held responsible.
First of all, Hamlet has his mind set that behind the curtain lies Claudius. His first thought is that this is his best chance at killing Claudius. He had no intention or desire to kill Polonius whatsoever. “He thought it was the chief and wished to kill him to avenge his father. He had meant to kill him earlier …show more content…
Claudius has only done things the wrong way. He has tried to make hamlet his son while at the same time, trying to eliminate him. Claudius scolds at Rosencrantz and Guildenstern and tells them “You can’t put your heads together and figure out why he’s acting so dazed and confused, ruining his peace and quiet with such dangers of display” (170; Act 3). In reality he does not care about Hamlet he could care less how he feels or what happens to him. Gertrude has gotten out of hand by supporting Claudius in everything he does. After the play she defends her beloved Claudius by telling Hamlet “Hamlet, thou hast thy father much offended” (184; Act 3). She does not stop and think how Hamlet may feel and why he is actually doing all of this. Hamlet, therefore, feels alone and is left abandoned to face all these problems alone. The one whom should take full responsibility is Claudius. He is the one who has provided all the pressure and has brought all theses issues upon Hamlet. It is his fault that Hamlet has acted irrationally and accidentally killed Polonius. Another thing that can be seen, is that Ophelia, daughter of Polonius, is the love of Hamlets life. He would not dare do such a thing knowing how distraught Ophelia would be. In the end she becomes crazy by the death of her father. She ends her own life because of Hamlets actions. Hamlet says to Laertes, as she is being put in the ground, “I love Ophelia. Forty …show more content…
He says to Polonius “and, as you said (and wisely was it said) ' Tis meet that some more audience than a mother—Since nature makes them partial—should o 'erhear The speech, of vantage. Fare you well, my liege. I’ll call upon you ere you go to bed and tell you what I know” (165; Act 3). Claudius is fully aware that if Hamlet hears someone behind the curtain he will think it is him and kill him instantly. He does not stop Polonius from going in and spying on them. All factors lead up to Claudius being the one truly responsible for the death of Polonius. As soon as Claudius receives the news of the death of Polonius he is happy to hear about it because he now has a reason to send hamlet off to be executed. “The Death of Polonius has placed Hamlet within the power of the King” (Bowers). Claudius has given orders and describes, “I like him not, nor stands it safe with us to let his madness rage. Therefore, prepare you and he to England as he shall go along with you” (163; Act 3). He has been waiting for an opportunity like this and he finally has it. Claudius is trying to get rid of him as soon as possible. He says to his attendants, “follow him at foot. Tempt him with speed aboard. Delay it not. I’ll have him hence tonight. Away!” (199; Act 4). Claudius, can not wait any longer and sends Hamlet off. He has no idea that