FREE ESSAY ON CHARACTER ANALYSIS: POLONIUS

CHARACTER ANALYSIS: POLONIUS

Character Analysis of Polonius
Although Polonius is not a main character in Hamlet, he serves to reinforce the pattern
of corruption, and demonstrates the social and moral decay of Denmark. His devious ways
show the audience that he is one of many characters who lack conviction and integrity.
Throughout Hamlet Polonius is a hypocrite who looks out for his own interests, and
betrays those he should be loyal to. These aspects of his character are revealed in his
relationships with the King, Ophelia, Laertes, and Hamlet. 
Polonius can be described as Janus-faced. Janus was a god from Roman mythology who had
two faces, each looking in opposite directions. Similarly, Polonius is two-faced in his
interactions with people. One example of this is his relationship with the King. Polonius
was King Hamlet's loyal servent, well liked and trusted by King Hamlet, Gertrude and
Hamlet. But his loyalty to King and Prince Hamlet is limited. Polonius proclaims his
loyalty to Claudius, the new King in the following speech, "I assure my good liege, I
hold my duty as I hold my soul, both to God and to my gracious king..." (II.ii.43-45). If
Polonius was actually loyal to King Hamlet, then he would have never supported the
deceitful, murderous Claudius. 
This speech also addresses the issue of Polonius' moral integrity. He claims that his
soul belongs to God. Yet if he was the devout Christian that he claimed to be, he would
have been honorable and loyal to his children and King Hamlet. Another Christian value
which Polonius talks about is honor. In Act I, Scene iii, line 96, Polonius says to
Ophelia, "You do not understand yourself so clearly as it behooves my daughter and your
honor". This scene shows how much of a hypocrite he is; he constantly does dishonorable
deeds, yet he is preaching to Ophelia to act honorably. 
Polonius makes decisions based on benefiting himself, not on the well being off his
family. This can be seen in his interactions with Ophelia and Laertes. In Act I Scene
iii, Polonius is giving advice to his daughter about refusing Hamlet's advances. The
language that he uses is blunt and unkind, it is not the typical loving, nurturing
interaction between a parent and child. He refers to her as a "woodcock", a gullible
bird. He tells her, "I would not, in plain terms, from this time forth have you so
slander any moment leisure as to give words or talk with the Lord Hamlet.
(I.iii.131-134). This last comment shows how much he only cares about himself. He doesn't
care how Ophelia feels about Hamlet, what matters is that her love affair with Hamlet
makes Polonius look bad. Because her actions will affect his image, he forbids Ophelia to
see Hamlet.
Polonius' conversations with his son further prove his two-faced, betraying nature.
Polonius sends Laertes off to France with a few words of wisdom in Act I Scene iii, lines
59-81. He speaks in cliches which take away from the meaning of his advice. Among other
things he says, "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." It would be good advice if it
were coming from a virtuous, honorable man. But, since Polonius says it, it can't be
taken seriously. 
After his seemingly heartfelt conversation with Laertes, he finds Reynaldo and plots to
ruin Laertes' reputation. This comment exemplifies his evil plot, "...breathe his faults
so quaintly that they may seem the taints of liberty, the flash and outbreak of a fiery
mind, a savageness in unreclaimed blood, of general assault." (II.i.31-34) His theory is
that Laertes will be so disliked that he will be forced to return to Denmark. Not only is
Polonius being selfish, he is betraying his own son.
Polonius is a dishonorable man; he lacks morals and conviction. He is also transparent
and two-faced. As Hamlet is killing Polonius he makes some insightful comments about
Polonius, "Thou wretched, rash intruding fool, farewell! I took thee for thy better...let
me wring your heart for I shall if it be made of impenetrable stuff..." (III.iv.31-36).
Throughout the play Polonius proves that his character lacks heart and honor.