From the outset of the dramatic tragedy, Hamlet, William Shakespeare portrays Polonius, the advisor to King Claudius, as one of a controlling, artful, manipulative, and self-centered nature, which, consequently, leads to his demise in Act III of the play. Such a character manifests itself when Polonius, warns his daughter, Ophelia, to avoid interactions with her beloved Hamlet. By ridiculing Ophelia’s affection for Hamlet, he derides at his daughter’s choice of partner with the remark, “Affection, puh? You speak like a green girl… Do you believe in ‘tenders’ as you call them?” Shakespeare). In this statement, Polonius seeks to eradicate from Ophelia’s mind the falsity that is Hamlet’s love for her. Furthermore, this emphatic comment characterizes …show more content…
By, initially, staging an encounter between Ophelia and Hamlet to decipher or reinforce his presumption of Hamlet’s insanity, he shows his willingness to spy on Hamlet, in order to satiate his king’s wishes and demands. Furthermore, Polonius is in utter disbelief when he sees Hamlet “still harping on … [his] daughter” and hears him speak of him as a “fishmonger” (Shakespeare). This reinforces Polonius’ action of trying to sell his daughter to obtain information for Claudius. Under any and all circumstances, this identifies Polonius as one who honors the king more readily than his own family and is willing to execute any action that may make him appear more favorable in Claudius’ eyes, only to honor the king for his own benefit. Additionally, his egotism and manipulation is evident when he instills into the mind of Claudius the scheme of getting rid of Hamlet: “to England send him, or confine him where your wisdom best shall think” (Shakespeare). His coordination and deep reverence for Claudius emphasizes his self-seeking disposition, which has now trespassed solely protecting his daughter , metamorphosing into evident abhorrence of the young