Because of these things, and his propensity toward "utility" and "result", even able to dismiss his own use and abuse of his own daughter as though it doesn't exist, I find him to be MUCH less than sympathetic. How ironic is that speech? In other words, Shakespeare surprises us when he makes wise words come from the silliest person of the kingdom, Polonius. 575; Ophelia. Thus, it's Shakespeare's irony, intended for our perusal? Or is there something totally deeper at work, that I’m missing completely? Polonius offers instruction to Laertes he's probably heard many times before, Polonius being the windbag he so obviously is. . Polonius’ famous advice to his son. The time invites you. Laertes: Thank you for your advice, Father. Right? "I would say that is pretty ironic advice coming from Polonius, a man who was killed because he was hiding behind a curtain, spying on Hamlet. Kilman= Polonius 'certainly occupies the role of father and adviser' and 'his advice to his son is full of worldly advice'. The relationships between Polonius and his children, Laertes and Ophelia, serve as an essential subplot in Hamlet as they add complex literary elements that advance the play forward and reveal key attributes about Hamlet. Ham. Also, you were recently looking for an alternative font for your header. The King is supposed to have narrated to Laertes what the audience knows well already: namely, that in an attempt at his life, Hamlet had in mistake slain Polonius. Go, your servants tend. 340-342) • The dramatic irony leads to the Queens tragic death, when she drinks the poisoned drink. Polonius, completely enveloped in his words, is totally oblivious. The next time we meet Polonius, he gives a long speech of advice to Laertes. (Actually, to slightly sidetrack the discussion? 5. 2. But again, his knowledge of his own mania, it seems to me, is solidly hidden from his own view. Polonius wholesales a full stockroom of wise quotes and aphorisms, and this is one of the most famous phrases: Polonius “Neither a borrower nor a lender be, For loan oft loses both itself and … Laertes. This was a good chance for Hamlet to kill Claudius before Hamlet felt driven to kill Polonius, thinking it was Claudius (another example of dramatic irony, since only the audience and Gertrude know that Polonius was behind the curtains), as well as before Laertes could kill him. I would say that is pretty ironic advice coming from Polonius, a man who was killed because he was hiding behind a curtain, spying on Hamlet. What makes it so ironic (and sadly humorous) is that Polonius gives excellent advice, but cannot see his way to using it himself. The irony involved in this portion of "Hamlet", the William Shakespeare play, centers on what would actually happen if Reynaldo decides to go along with what Polonius says. No matter what he has just said, he can decide whether to follow the advice or to construct his own path of choices. This, combined with the oft-cut Reynaldo scene, reveal Polonius as more of an insecure, prying hypocrite than the lovable dodderer he is often portrayed as. The latest BBC/RSC version handles this brilliantly, in a way I'd never seen before: Polonius is delivers this speech, much like one would expect of the players, while Laertes and Ophelia mimic and parody him in the background. First, he says be yourself, but don't say things without thinking about them or behave irrationally. There; my blessing with thee! ii . Polonius depicts himself to confide in his son, yet the audience discovers he does not. Of course, interpretations of Polonius differ, but I think a critical reading of this passage will reveal all his wise saws to be empty pomposity. Would you agree? How does Polonius plans to "spy" on his son and what is his revealed about his character in the first scene? What kind of advice does Polonius give Laertes before he heads back to school? Hamlet then stabs Laertes with the poison sword. There,--my blessing with you! If you are at an office or shared network, you can ask the network administrator to run a scan across the network looking for misconfigured or infected devices. Polonius: You must leave. He is always sure that he is right, and when his son has departed, he … And I totally agree about the Reynaldo scene (almost always cut in editing). Indeed, Polonius literally shadows Hamlet, or tails him and in shadowing him falls into a thematic parody of his own habits” (States 116). It is long-winded, but excellent advice. The dramatic irony … Makes the tragedy bigger, I think. Could he say he was not "false to any man"? They think they need to act certain ways and . Certainly then, as now, that can involve something Machiavellian in someone's makeup which, as we see later, he's all to willing to put into practice. Polonius. How is Laertes similar to his father, Polonius? This is not an example of the work written by professional academic writers. Completing the CAPTCHA proves you are a human and gives you temporary access to the web property. I like it a lot. I have to say I agree with JM, though. ), Very interesting concept, Kenna. I always thought it was ironic and that we should laugh at him saying all these things that he doesn't really mean. Everyone nowadays wants to be just like everyone else. This came up in the comments on the “Isn’t Will Ironic?” thread, and I thought it might make for interesting conversation. Polonius advice to Laertes Neither a borrower nor a lender be; For loan oft loses both itself and friend, And borrowing dulls the edge of husbandry. Laertes. Polonius’ Advice to Laertes – Shakespeare – Hamlet At some point, you must have heard these infamous words: “This above all, to your own self be true!” They originate with the bard himself – William Shakespeare.