Polonius Spying on Hamlet example essay topic

In William Shakespeare's play, Hamlet, many of the characters resort to spying in order to find out information. Some instances of spying occur because of the lack of trust there is between the characters in this play. Even the women, who appear to be innocent and meek, are deceitful and untrustworthy. Spying is an integral part of the play but none of the characters truly benefit from spying and all who participate display the negative aspects of their character. Polonius is the best example of what the end result is when a character resorts to spying. The first instance of spying, although not clearly stated in the play, occurs during a conversation between Laertes and Ophelia.

Their father, Polonius, overhears part of their conversation before it is revealed that he has entered the room, showing that he will invade the privacy of others, even his own children's. This is more a case of eavesdropping rather than actual spying but is very significant to the plot of the play and what it reveals about Polonius', Ophelia's and Hamlet's characters. This first instance shows Polonius' character trait of being nosey: "What is't, Ophelia, he hath said to you?" (I / /88). This comment could be a concern for his daughter but more or less proves that he is willing to invade Ophelia's privacy. It also reveals that Polonius has no respect or trust for his own children. Because of Polonius's eavesdropping, he learns more about the relationship between Ophelia and Hamlet, and forbids Ophelia from being with Hamlet, which thickens the plot and foreshadows a change in Hamlet's character.

I would not, in plain terms, from this time forth Have you so slander any moment leisure As to give words or talk with the Lord Hamlet. Look to't, I charge you. Come your ways (I / /132-135). Polonius proves that he is selfish and does not care about what Ophelia or Hamlet may feel.

The second instance is merely just a plan to spy because the action has not yet occurred. Polonius is once again involved in an act of spying, this one as a result of his nosiness and lack of trust for his son... And there put on him What forgeries you please; marry, none so rank As may dishonor him-take head of that- But, sir, such wanton, wild, and usual slips As are companions noted and most known To youth and liberty (II / i/19-24). Polonius tells Reynaldo to slander his son's reputation to discover the reality of Laertes' actions. He does not trust that Laertes shows his true self to the eyes of his father.

This plan reveals the depths that Polonius will sink to find out what people do when he is not around. The next bit of spying that Polonius is involved in occurs when the king and Polonius plan a meeting between Ophelia and Hamlet to find out the reason for Hamlet's behaviour. Rosencrantz and Guildenstern report back to Claudius that Hamlet is upset but they do not know why. They resort to spying again because they do not trust that Ophelia will tell the truth about the meeting, another trust issue that Polonius has with his children. Ophelia betrays Hamlet by making their meeting look accidental when she knows it is deliberate and that the king and Polonius are spying on them. She also gives back to Hamlet the tokens of his love he has given to her, betraying her love for him.

Then Hamlet tries to make Ophelia feel as betrayed as he has felt the last two months. This action shows both Ophelia's disloyalty and Hamlet's disloyalty as they have betrayed their love for one another. This is another case of nosey Polonius getting into his children's business. He's an old man with no life and nothing better to do.

Ophelia lies to Hamlet and says that her father is at home when Hamlet questions her. "At home, my lord" ( / i/129). Hamlet replies "Let the doors be shut upon him, / that he may play the fool nowhere but in's own house. Farewell" ( / i/130-131). This shows Ophelia's disloyalty to Hamlet once again because she does not tell Hamlet that her father and the king are spying on them.

The fourth instance occurs when Polonius wants Gertrude to meet with Hamlet so that he can spy on their conversation. Not only has Hamlet been betrayed by Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, two friends, he has been betrayed by his love, Ophelia, and now his own mother. This meeting leads to Polonius's death and an end to his spying. Let his queen mother all alone entreat him To show his grief. Let her be round with him, And I'll be placed, so please you, in the ear Of all their conference. ( / i/179-182) Once again Polonius is the creator of another spying encounter. This situation is ironic as it is this spying episode that leads to Polonius' downfall, and also an end to the spying on Ophelia and Hamlet's relationship.

Gertrude is someone who cannot think for herself and she just lets other people (Polonius, the king) control her. Since the true king died, she has not had any respect for her own flesh and blood as she betrays her own son. Claudius's negative vibes have influenced her as she is no longer the Gertrude she was with King Hamlet. When Hamlet kills Polonius it comes as a bit of a shock to Hamlet because he believes the spy to be the king. Polonius: What, ho! Help!

Hamlet: How now? A rat? Dead, for a ducat, dead! ( / iv/24-25)... Hamlet: Is it the king? ( / iv/27)... Hamlet: That wretched, rash, intruding fool, farewell! I took thee for thy better ( / iv/32-33) He doesn't really have any emotion for the situation when he realizes that it's Polonius.

Hamlet's last comment to Polonius ("I took thee for thy better") is a large insult to him. The one thing that Polonius wanted was to be higher in status and class than he really was. The insult is that Hamlet has erased all of Polonius' efforts to climb the social ladder with one tiny remark, reducing him to no importance again. Hamlet disgraces Polonius's dead body by dragging him out of the room as if he did not really matter, in life or in death. Now, even though Polonius is dead and with him the instances of spying, his actions have had a lasting effect on the other characters in the play. His machinations have led to other characters to resort to spying to find out information.

Claudius is the one most affected by Polonius, as he is also involved in the majority of the instances. But there is one time when Claudius is the one being spied upon, by Hamlet no less. Hamlet: There is a play to-night before the King. One scene of it comes rear the circumstance Which I have told thee, of my father's death. I prithee, when thou seest that act afoot. Even with the very comment of thy soul Observe my uncle.

If his occult ed guilt Do not itself unkennel in one speech, It is a damned ghost that we have seen, And my imaginations are as foul As Vulcan's stithy. Give him heedful note, For mine eyes will rivet to his face, And after we will both our judgments join In censure of his seeming. ( / ii/67-79) Hamlet has resorted to spying on Claudius during the play to find out if his uncle feels guilt over the murder of his father. Even someone who should be the good guy in the play is influenced by the negative actions of Polonius. Polonius is the perfect example of what happens when a person resorts to deceit to better his position in life. His constant spying led to his death, with nothing good transpiring from his actions. His lies and deeds spread mistrust and cause chaos.

It is the actions of Polonius that influence the actions of Claudius and the actions of Hamlet which result in the majority of characters dying before the play ends. The final consequence of spying is death; death to trust, to relationships and sometimes even death to life.