Polonius Flashcards
(10 cards)
Critic Hartwig thinks polonius is a “Machiavellian schemer who….
… takes plotting to absurd proportions”
How can polonius seen to be a controlling and overprotective father in his advice to Laertes
“Give thy thoughts no tongue”
“Be thou familiar but by no means vulgar”
“Give every man thy ear but few thy voice”
Give examples of the degrading language used in act 1 scene 3 between polonius and Ophelia which present her as young, powerless and impressionable
“You speak like a green girl”
“Think yourself a baby” “springs Yk catch woodcocks” > hunting imagery positioning Ophelia as prey > stupid, innocent
Her only response > “I shall obey my lord”
How does Branagh’s version of the beginning of act 2 scene 1 present polonius as hypocritical
- drinking, smoking, prostitute in his bed? > doing what he is criticising Laertes for
- sailing + laughing > Machiavellian shameless enjoyment in scheming
Polonius act 2 scene 2 : “I hold my duty as I hold my soul…
Finish quote + analysis
“… / Both to God and to my gracious king” - lotalty to Claudius is equal to that of God > significant to devout religous elizabethan audience
Use context to explain the importance of Polonius’ loyalty to his position in the court + political unrest
Elizabethan England at a time of political unrest caused fear in society > queen Elizabeth’s reign coming to an end, questions around who would replace her as she has no heir
Vigilant surveillance after guy Fawkes (1605) > RSC PRODUCTION surveillance cameras
Polonius based of sir Francis walsingham > Elizabeth’s spymaster during catholic plots
Who says “I have found / The very cause of Hamlet’s lunacy” in act 2 scene 2
Polonius
How does hamlet treat Polonius after his death
Calls him an “intruding fool” , “was in life a foolish prating knave” > dishonest always talking without substance
“Lug his guts” “dragging him”
How do different film adaptations interpret Polonius death
Branagh & Zeffirelli = comedic
RSC: polonius hiding behind glass cabinet which hamlet shoots at and the glass shatters but remains in whole pieces > facades deception shattered like glass but scheming and plotting still remains in Elsinore (Claudius)
What does hamlet mean when he says polonius is “at supper” in 4,3 and “your fat king and your lean beggar is but variable service, two dishes, but one table”
“Not where he eats but where’a is eaten”
- hamlets fascination with the physicality of death
- motif of decay used in the poem as a metaphor for political and moral corruption
- ironic using words often seen as repulsive to mock the courts obsession with appearances and facades > even the most powerful figures are equal to the poor after death and become powerless
