Polonius Flashcards
(4 cards)
Who is Polonius?
- Lord Chamberlain, father to Laertes and Ophelia.
- A meddling, verbose courtier who spies and schemes.
- Killed by Hamlet while hiding behind a curtain.
Key quotes for Polonius
“To thine own self be true” – Hypocritical advice that contrasts with Polonius’s own deceitful nature.
“Though this be madness, yet there is method in’t” – Begins to suspect that Hamlet’s madness is not entirely irrational.
“Give thy thoughts no tongue” – Advice to Laertes, showing Polonius’s need to control and instruct.
Main themes for Polonius
Family – Overprotective and controlling; treats his children as tools.
Corruption – Willing to use deceit to maintain influence.
Women – Controls Ophelia, denies her agency.
Madness – Misinterprets Hamlet’s behaviour; a victim of the court’s chaos.
Context for Polonius
Polonius is a symbol of Elizabethan court corruption and surveillance. His death shows the danger of political manipulation. Some critics see him as comic relief; others view him as deeply sinister.
