Polonius Courses

Polonius is a character from William Shakespeare's tragedy Hamlet. He is the Lord Chamberlain of Denmark and the father of Ophelia and Laertes. He is portrayed as a elderly courtier in the play, who is often pompous and vain. Despite his insignificant role in the plot of the play, Polonius is one of the most iconic and widely-quoted characters in all of Shakespearean Literature. His most famous line is "To thine own self be true". Polonius is used as a tool for the king and queen of Denmark, Claudius and Gertrude, to resolve the ever-growing tension and chaos surrounding their court. He is constantly meddling in the affairs of his sons, Laertes and Ophelia, and is continuously found eavesdropping and listening behind doors. Despite his attempts to protect and guide his family, his advice is often misguided and wrong. In the end, his interference in the affairs of others leads to his death at the hands of Hamlet. Despite his misguided advice and annoying behavior, Polonius is remembered fondly in the play due to his witty one-liners and memorable quotes. He is a testament to the complexity of Shakespeare's characters and the way in which each one can contain both good and bad traits. By marrying his blend of comedy and tragedy into one character, he illustrates for the reader the complex and troubled nature of human relationships.