Preview

Polonius Foolishness Analysis

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
328 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Polonius Foolishness Analysis
The character Polonius, in the play Hamlet, can be looked at as a wise or foolish man. While he does show a few examples of him being wise, he shows several more examples of him being foolishness. William Shakespeare's Hamlet utilizes the character Polonius to reveal the fine line between being wise and being foolish. Polonius in Hamlet is always trying to impress people of power, even if those people are evil. Polonius tires extremely hard to show Claudius, the king, that he is right and is faithful to the king. “Polonius asks ‘What do you think of me?’/ Claudius responds ‘As of a man faithful and honorable.’ Polonius then answers ‘I would fain prove so.’” ( CITE). Polonius wants to show off all that he knows to the king because he wants

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    Now wears his crown” (1.5.46-47). Claudius’s brother was a great warrior that probably ruled with ideas of justice and moral balance but Claudius is a corrupt politician, he rules with manipulation and does not even feel guilt for catalyzing the fall from grace of so many characters. He schemes and manipulates other characters to get what he desires. When Claudius was certain that Hamlet knew of his lie about his brothers death he planned a match between Laertes and Hamlet in which Hamlet was not suppose to come out as the victor. Claudius will stop at nothing to maintain his power if he has he heart to murder his own brother, he will have the heart to murder anyone that blocks him from his goal. It is his own scheming that leads to his death, if power is gained by lies and manipulation more lies and manipulation must take place to maintain it and that life can only be held a secret for so long. The constant deaths, spying and confusion led many to become mad. His lack of guilt can be seen when he openly shows his affection for his wife in front of Hamlet and does it in a very obnoxious way. This affection for his wife is questionable because of his need for power. It is not certain whether or not Claudius actually has sincere feelings towards Gertrude or whether she is just another character playing a part in his lie, something that just came along with what he truly wanted, the crown. However even though his motives for marrying the queen are questionable, if he does not truly love Gertrude he covers it up well, showing once again his good use of manipulation. He openly shows affection and even declares his love in words, “The…

    • 698 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Intelligence is an important factor when being a king. In order for a king to keep his kingdom safe he has to plan ahead, and outwit his enemies. In order for Hamlet to plan ahead and outsmart Claudius, he has to use his intelligence. Hamlet uses his intelligence to through off his enemy by acting mad so he wouldn't notice his to plan to seek revenge. "Here, as before, never, so help you mercy,/How strange or odd soe'er I bear myself/As I perchance hereafter shall think meet/To put an antic disposition on,/That you, at such times seeing me, never shall..."(I.v.177-181). This quotation above shows Hamlet telling his friend Horatio that no matter how strange he may seem , don't mind it and don't say anything because it is all an act. Hamlet uses his intelligent to formulate a plot to act crazy and mess with everyone's mind, while secretly he is sane and is just planning his revenge out on Claudius.…

    • 1080 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    As he assumes his brother’s throne, Claudius displays a personality that is not one of a tyrant, but rather a compassionate and diligent man. In “Outrageous Fortune” by Olaf Loske, Loske praises Claudius’ solemn eulogy of the late King Hamlet in Act I, scene II, declaring that with this speech “emerges a King who is well qualified for his office” (Loske, 79) He inspires the idea…

    • 1304 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    Erasmus’s thesis, In Praise of Folly, can be defined as the excoriating of the Catholic church and its superior officials, the reasoning to why he presents this is that he presumes the church is becoming to consumed and corrupted with their religious ceremonies and superficial acts of Catholicism rather than promoting the simplistic ways of the Lord. In this exert he states, “Most of them place their greatest stress for salvation on a strict conformity to their foppish ceremonies, and a belief of their legendary traditions”. In relation to this statement he says, “They think to satisfy that Master they pretend to serve, our Lord and Savior, with their great state and magnificence, with the ceremonies of instalments, with the titles of reverence…

    • 246 Words
    • 1 Page
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    In Hamlet, Polonius interacts in very different ways with the various characters. While talking with Reynaldo, he speaks in a sneaky, sly and clever manner. When talking with his daughter Ophelia, he seems very concerned. When talking with Hamlet, he seems confused, not knowing what Hamlet is talking about. When talking with the Players, however, he acts imperiously, exerting his authority over them.…

    • 499 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Doesn’t the same hold for all the other things? Don’t you call shapes and colours admirable on the account of either some pleasure or benefit or both?…

    • 634 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    The play Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare follows two ill-fated lovers who marry against their feuding families’ wishes. In the tragedy, Juliet makes several impulsive decisions. The Nurse sticks by her side and tries to help with the consequences of Juliet’s hasty decisions. Yet, when the hard times progress, the Nurse feels the need to share her feelings about the predicament. The Nurse uses her motherly instincts to protect Juliet; yet, Juliet misperceives the advice as betrayal and is unaware that these suggestions encourage her own well-being.…

    • 1036 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    The conversation between Socrates and Euthyphro takes place at the marketplace. Euthyphro is on his way to charge his father for murder, and Socrates is going to his own trial, because he was accused of corrupting the minds of the youth. Before going into his trial, Socrates asks Euthyphro, who claims to be a spiritually enlightened prophet, what exactly makes something of piety or impiety. He asks this, because he wants to be seen as Euthyphro’s student, and so that he can use Euthyphro’s teachings in order to understand the difference between godliness and ungodliness, so that he can represent himself in court. As Euthyphro attempts to define it in clear and general terms, Socrates brings up different flaws and perspectives on his explanations that cause him to delve into it. As they continue to discuss it, Socrates’ questions cause Euthyphro to come full circle back to his first explanation of it, and they never come to a clear conclusion.…

    • 532 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Hamlet Logs

    • 921 Words
    • 4 Pages

    This is a reaction to what occurred in Scene 2 when Claudius and Hamlet actually talk to each other. Claudius opens the scene with a long monologue to the court and in it I get the sense that he is trying to behave as an appropriate new kings who had just came to the throne. But, he only has the throne because he married his brother’s widow, Gertrude. He says all the right things under the circumstances, but it is all still a bit off-putting to me. For example, when he says thank you for “going with this affair along” almost acknowledging the inappropriate mature of the situation.…

    • 921 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    In this paper, I will evaluate Socrates’ argument from Phaedo for why philosophers should desire death, perhaps only secondly to wisdom. I will argue that Socrates unfairly characterizes the truthfulness of the senses, and therefore projects a pessimistic view of the philosopher’s virtue during life. This pessimism towards life in conjunction with arguments for an afterlife that liberates reason, seems to suggest that Socrates believes philosophers should desire death: a happy prospect for condemned man, but perhaps a biased one.…

    • 610 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    One of the major themes that Socrates heavily focused on in his speech was the philosophical ideas of wisdom and a description of Socrates’ own wisdom as well. Older accusers had allegedly claimed that Socrates did not believe in gods, and instead would try to explain phenomenons through physical explanations instead, as well as the fact that Socrates would teach others how to make a weak argument triumph a stronger one by using clever rhetorics. In Socrates’ defense, he has stated that he does not have any kind of competence and expertise in any of these areas. This statement truly divides Socrates from sophists and even Presocratics, as teachers that each belong to these organizations assert that only through experience and examination they can gain…

    • 695 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Hamlet Rhetorical Analysis

    • 1632 Words
    • 7 Pages

    Throughout the course of the play, Claudius is manipulating the royal court and Hamlet. Immediately following his murder of the late king of Denmark, he cons the royal court into believing that the passing of the late king caused him much grief. However, Claudius exhibits no contrition for murdering the king because of “fruits” he had gained from it: “[his] crown, [his] own ambition, and [his queen]” (III.iii.59). He has no intention of handing over the “fruits” of his crime, that he is well past any chance of redemption. Claudius is unwilling to surrender everything he has gained from his crime because it was those ambitions that drove him to commit the murder in the first place. Claudius maintains his power by acting in favor of the people’s anticipations. Even after he had already wed Gertrude, Claudius confessed his sorrow for the late king and how he was overcoming his sorrowed heart to the royal court to be strong for the kingdom (I.ii.10-12). Claudius hastily shifts from the sadness over the late king and merriment of marriage to his future proposals and allegiance to Denmark (I.ii.17-38). In addition, Claudius also requests permission from Laertes father, Polonius, to authorize Laertes to go to France, as opposed to authorizing Laertes himself (I.ii.59-65). This generates favor from the people…

    • 1632 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    Socrates Unjust Analysis

    • 872 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Socrates an ancient Greek philosopher who arguably set a philosophical president for all modern western theories, though he lived in ___________. Today in the 21st century his trial is still studied and debated. Some belief the trial justified and the Athenians were correct in his prosecution. However, large populations argue that the trial was unjust and Athenians used Socrates as a scapegoat for the troubles that the Athena democracy was facing during that time. Three men brought the charges laid against Socrates. Metetus, a wildly religious man, Anytus, a wealthy business owner and Lycon who was largely unknown and likely only there to fill the Athenian political requirements, there brought fourth two charges, impiety and the corruption of the youth. A…

    • 872 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Women In Hamlet

    • 548 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Whether it’d be Hamlet, Claudius or Polonius, all the male characters of the play dominate each other in one way or the other. For example, Claudius controls most of the characters in the play by manipulating them. Claudius tricks Gertrude, Polonius, Laertes, and Ophelia into doing things he wants them to do. for instance, he tricks Gertrude into wooing him, Laertes into plotting against Hamlet, Ophelia and Rosencrantz and Guildenstern into spying on Hamlet. “Welcome, dear Rosencrantz and Guildenstern./…/ That opened lies within our remedy. /” (II.ii.1-18) This conversation between Claudius and Rosencrantz and Guildenstern is a proof of Claudius’s manipulation and domination. He cleverly convinces them into helping him spy on Hamlet. He knows that they have been best friends with Prince Hamlet since childhood and they wouldn’t spy on their friend but, Claudius traps them so skilfully that they agree. He makes it seem like he cares for Hamlet’s well-being and if they help figure out the reason behind his mad behaviour it’ll be beneficial for Hamlet. Although, Claudius’s real intentions are totally opposite. He doesn’t care about Hamlet’s safety, he wants his throne safe. Claudius justifies being a man by wearing this manipulative nature. He enhances Shakespeare’s gender roles and shows that men hold the power to control anyone’s emotions. Someone who guiltlessly…

    • 548 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    However, in reality Polonius is an evil, greedy selfish man, who serves not his kingdom but himself. One example of this is how Polonius appears to be happy, concerned and supportive of his son, Laerte’s, journey to France. He seems to be supportive of his son until he sends Reynaldo as an emissary, in order to detect what sort of mischief he stumbles upon in France. In addition, Polonius, again, displays his devious characteristics when he spies on Hamlet and Ophelia in an attempt to analyze Hamlet’s madness. He soon orders Ophelia to stop seeing Hamlet, as he brainwashes her with lies about Hamlets motives, when in reality Hamlet is truly in love with Ophelia. Once again, Polonius proves his scheming behavior when he listens in on Hamlet and Gertrude’s conversation while in the bedchamber. Hamlet finally teaches him his lesson when he unexpectedly murders the “rat.” In reality Polonius is anything but a loving father watching out for his children, he uses everyone to his advantage and for his own purposes; this proves as evidence for his sneaky…

    • 960 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Better Essays