What Is The Difference Between Polonius And Ophelia's Relationship In Hamlet
Characters
Hamlet – religious and philosophical, thinker not doer, moral character, scruple, multidimesional
Claudius – King of Denmark, killed Hamlet’s father to usurp the throne. Decisive and manipulative.
Gertrude – wife of Claudius and former wife of Hamlet’s father. Smart and sneaky.
Polonius – father of Ophelia and Laertes, subservient, want to win favor of King, spy, verbose
Laertes – Ophelia’s brother, hot-headed, honorable man, likes to party, easily manipulated by king
Ophelia – unintelligent lover of Hamlet, physical relationship. Daughter of Polonius.
Horatio – Responsible, caring friend of Hamlet
Fortinbras – Prince of Norway, hot-headed and military man, doer, not thinker (foil to Hamlet)
Rosencranz and Guildenstern …show more content…
Examples
1. Hamlet’s soliloquy about his mother being pathetic for marrying Claudius
Tone: bitterness, anger, sorrow, grief FORESHADOWING SOMETHING BAD TO COME
2. Business Diction between Polonius and Opelia
“my lord” (respect for father?)
Tenders, woodcocks (dumb birds), maiden presence0
3. Hamlet insane or acting?
Hamlet ignores his friends and goes to look for ghost (strong and firm)
“something is rotten in the state of Denmark”
4. Hamlet’s major inner conflict/tragedy: he is not a killer!
“The time is out of joint. O cursed spite that ever I was born to set it right!”
5. Claudius as manipulative and decisive
“your son” vs “our love for him”
Gertrude calls him “my lord”
Tells hamlet “your dad died, move on”
Tells Laertes “you must avenge your dad” Sets them against each other
6. Laertes is not religious (I will kill him in the church), Claudius is not religious (couldn’t pray)
7. Eye for an eye religious killing
Seneca Tragedy Roman Tragedy
Versions or imitations of Greek tragedies but notable for their recurring use of the motif of vengeance, as well as descriptions of blood and murder. Seneca also introduces supernatural with elements such as the
Hamlet – religious and philosophical, thinker not doer, moral character, scruple, multidimesional
Claudius – King of Denmark, killed Hamlet’s father to usurp the throne. Decisive and manipulative.
Gertrude – wife of Claudius and former wife of Hamlet’s father. Smart and sneaky.
Polonius – father of Ophelia and Laertes, subservient, want to win favor of King, spy, verbose
Laertes – Ophelia’s brother, hot-headed, honorable man, likes to party, easily manipulated by king
Ophelia – unintelligent lover of Hamlet, physical relationship. Daughter of Polonius.
Horatio – Responsible, caring friend of Hamlet
Fortinbras – Prince of Norway, hot-headed and military man, doer, not thinker (foil to Hamlet)
Rosencranz and Guildenstern …show more content…
Examples
1. Hamlet’s soliloquy about his mother being pathetic for marrying Claudius
Tone: bitterness, anger, sorrow, grief FORESHADOWING SOMETHING BAD TO COME
2. Business Diction between Polonius and Opelia
“my lord” (respect for father?)
Tenders, woodcocks (dumb birds), maiden presence0
3. Hamlet insane or acting?
Hamlet ignores his friends and goes to look for ghost (strong and firm)
“something is rotten in the state of Denmark”
4. Hamlet’s major inner conflict/tragedy: he is not a killer!
“The time is out of joint. O cursed spite that ever I was born to set it right!”
5. Claudius as manipulative and decisive
“your son” vs “our love for him”
Gertrude calls him “my lord”
Tells hamlet “your dad died, move on”
Tells Laertes “you must avenge your dad” Sets them against each other
6. Laertes is not religious (I will kill him in the church), Claudius is not religious (couldn’t pray)
7. Eye for an eye religious killing
Seneca Tragedy Roman Tragedy
Versions or imitations of Greek tragedies but notable for their recurring use of the motif of vengeance, as well as descriptions of blood and murder. Seneca also introduces supernatural with elements such as the