Introduction to character as minor opposition of Hamlet as he is simply a pawn of Claudius.

Claudius:  Have you your father's leave? What says Polonius? Polonius: He hath, my lord... …I do beseech you give him leave to go (Act 1, Scene 2, Line 260)

• Claudius uses Polonius’s display of acceptance for Laertes’ travel to mock Hamlet, and keep him in Denmark

Polonius advises Ophelia to reject Hamlet’s advances:

Polonius: I must tell you / You do not understand yourself so clearly (Act 1, Scene 3, Line 582-583)

• Polonius says this to avoid trouble for his daughter as he is concerned about her,

• Ophelia’s suicide comes from her confusion over love,

  • Her father and brother’s conflicting messages and her true feelings for Hamlet create impossible expectation for her behaviour.
  • Hamlet results in murdering her father, which the greatest part to her Depression.
  • Ophelia

• This sets up Hamlet’s distress and leads him to the impulsive murder of Polonius in Act 3, Scene 4.

Polonius as a good person

• Looks back on his actions, regret?

Polonius: That hath made him mad. “I am sorry that with better heed and judgement” (Act 2, Scene 1, Line 108-109)