In Defense of Polonius: Act 1

In Defense of Polonius:
Act 1
One of the driving forces behind Shakespeare’s plays, especially so in the case of Hamlet, is the use of language. The way a character is introduced, the lines they’re given and what they actually say in relation to other characters helps the reader to build a picture of that character and assign them the role of hero, villain, victim, or idiot; the list goes on but suffice it to say that these are the main examples being developed in the play.
The figure in Polonius is an interesting one, especially in our class, because of the disapproval that almost everyone voiced about him. Why is that? Does he just not work? Does he work too well or is it simply that you’re all too hard on him?
Let’s find out why.

Act 1, Scene 2 lines 58-60 (page 13 in the Norton)
·         Polonius has just been addressed by Claudius and is affirming his sons’ desire to go back to France. This is the first time Polonius appears in the play and his actions are fairly innocuous. Yes, there is interplay earlier between Claudius and Hamlet and Claudius uses Laertes and Polonius to make sure Hamlet knew his place but this is utterly innocent.
Act 1, Scene 3 lines 54-80 (page 21-22 in the Norton)
·         Polonius enters the stage after Laertes speaks with Ophelia and gives his son some sage advice. (I have to say that I did not know some of these famous adages came from Hamlet before re-reading it this time.) Polonius gives his son some excellent advice before his send off. Again, he’s the concerned, caring father.
·         He says: “This above all—to thine own self be true, and it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man.”
o   This is one of the most wildly debated quotes from Polonius and also the sharp end of the spear used frequently to roast him over the slow fire of criticism. It is not time yet, but I will address this as it continues to re-emerge.
Act 1, Scene 3 lines 89-135(pages 22-24 in the Norton)
·         After Laertes leaves, Polonius and Ophelia are on stage together. Polonius counsels/criticizes Ophelia for her relationship with Hamlet (if you could even call it that at this point) and tells her basically that she’s a wailing babe, who doesn’t know any better and can’t, because she is not smart enough to understand the truth of life: sex.
          One of the thoughts that has to be developed is the way that he treats his children: Laertes and Ophelia.
                One could argue that Polonius is a hypocrite and a fool because he tells Laertes and Ophelia different things but that's the way the cookie crumbles.
           A person can be both a loving parent to two different children in two different ways.
                    Laertes is a man and wise to the world, so Polonius gives him hearty advice.
                    Ophelia on the other hand is a woman being pursued by a man who Polonius does not like. He tries to order her to stay away from him and tells her that as his daughter,  he knows best.

   -In effect, Polonius, like a lot of men in the era, is a misogynist. Big surprise. There is nothing inside the text that gives me a sense of idiocy or uselessness.

Thus far, Polonius has shown himself to be a courtier and a father. Does he deserve e at this moment, all of the vitriol and scorn given to him in class?

Not yet.