Talk:Polonius

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Wouldn't you say Polonius takes it on himself to find out why Hamlet's madness, rather than being ordered to do so by Claudius? Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are the ones Claudius uses to spy on Hamlet. --Taejo 13:18, 10 August 2005 (UTC)[reply]

I don't think this article does justice to polonius, sure he was kinda a spy and such but I found the character to be much wiser than what is portrayed here.- Moshe Constantine Hassan Al-Silverburg 11:28, 5 November 2005 (UTC)[reply]

I agree with Taejo. I don't recall Claudius ever instructing Polonius to conduct an investigation. I'm removing the sentence in the article that implies Polonius was acting under order from the king. Also, I don't think Polonius believes Hamlet's madness is an act. I'm going to do some rewording to make this more clear. Erroneous01 16:06, 7 February 2006 (UTC)[reply]

why Polonius orders Ophelia to break up with Hamlet, December 20,2007

the article right now says Polonius did it to protect his reputation. The reason he gave Ophelia however was that Hamlet would take advantage of her. Of course that might not have been his real reason, but I think it is. Anyway, the reason he gives to Ophelia might be worth putting in the article130.86.14.83 (talk) 06:50, 21 December 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Sounds reasonable. Would you add it for us? Wrad (talk) 17:35, 21 December 2007 (UTC)[reply]

The critic Empson suggests that Polonius hopes to marry off Ophelia to Hamlet to connect himeself to the royal family. He urges Ophelia to break with Hamlet so that Hamlet will have to offer marriage to get her back. He tells Claudius is lovesick for Ophelia in the hopes that Claudius will favor the marriage. It's an interesting alternative to the usual explanations of his behavior. CharlesTheBold (talk) 04:11, 14 December 2010 (UTC)[reply]

Some factual problems. 1) Re "The latter eventually murders..." murder is too strong a word; should just say "kills." 2) "Ophelia's suicide" is wrong, that's a matter of interpretation (Gertrude and the coroner, versus the sexton and the cleric.) 3) The Hazlitt quote, since it's one person's interpretation, should not be at the top. 4) "Lord Chamberlain" is an interpretation, not a fact in the play; the fact is "counselor." 5) Re "It is important to note that throughout the play, Polonius is characterized as a typical Renaissance courtier," but nowhere in the play is there any indication that Shakespeare wanted Polonius (or any of the characters) to be seen as typical; that sentence is obviously only interpretive. 68.118.52.34 (talk) 05:54, 9 September 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Sources

This section needs a lot of work and references. In particular, the controversy over whether or not the character is an intentional parody of Cecil requires a more detailed and sophisticated treatment. I'll be back with some contributions to help flesh out the section.--BenJonson (talk) 15:58, 26 February 2010 (UTC)[reply]

Corambis

It is true that Polonius was named Corambis in the first publication. I have to disagree with the "reheated cabbage" translation, however. If Polonius is indeed modeled after Lord Burghley, the name Corambis is rather telling. Burghley's motto was "Cor unum, via una:" One heart, one way. Breaking his name up into Cor and Ambis. Ambis, like ambiguous or ambidextrous, suggests duality. Cor suggests heart. Hence, double-hearted. A perfect jab at a man whose secretive, duplicitous nature belied his motto. Kenobifan (talk) 14:16, 11 October 2010 (UTC)[reply]

Actors in the role

Didn't Sir John Gielgud play Polonius in the 1960s TV movie where Richard Chamberlin played Hamlet? I particularly remember him delivering the line "Though this be madness, methinks there's method in it" (which should be added to the list of famous Polonius lines). CharlesTheBold (talk) 04:11, 14 December 2010 (UTC)[reply]