Polonius

Characters Polonius

Polonius is a proud and concerned father. In his first line he tells us he hesitates to let his son
Laertes go abroad, and he draws out his last meeting with Laertes because he’s reluctant to see him
go. In the same scene, Polonius advises his daughter Ophelia to avoid Hamlet because he’s worried
about her. The secure and happy family unit of Polonius, Laertes, and Ophelia provides a stark
contrast with the dysfunctional unit formed by Claudius, Gertrude, and Hamlet. The happiness of
Polonius’s family is reflected in his children’s reaction to his murder. Laertes passionately pursues
revenge, and Ophelia feels so struck with grief that she goes mad. At the same time, Polonius
reveals himself to be a far from perfect father. He sends Reynaldo to spy on his son, and he uses his
daughter as bait to trick Hamlet. Polonius’s actions suggest that in Hamlet, even relationships that
seem loving are ambiguous, a fact which contributes to the play’s atmosphere of doubt and
uncertainty.