Tedious Old Fools

I would like to talk about Polonius for this blog entry. Specifically, the interactions between Hamlet and Polonius. Polonius’s role in the second act of Hamlet is quite large, especially towards the end. I believe that he functions in the play as the adult that doesn’t quite get it. Hamlet and Polonius’s talks are reminiscent of those awkward interviews on the Colbert Report where the interviewee is only vaguely aware that the show is a comedy and that Colbert is acting. They earnestly assert their point of view, and are forever frustrated when everything they say is used as fodder for jokes, or, worse, sarcasm. Obviously, Hamlet loves toying with Polonius, who he views as a vastly inferior intellect and person. Hamlet pokes fun at him right to his face (i.e. Hamlet says that nothing will make him happier after Polonius declares that he is leaving) because he assumes that Polonius will never understand him. The fact that Hamlet uses his insanity as an excuse to tease Polonius shows what little respect Hamlet has for the man. In contrast, he at least has the courtesy to act completely insane in front of others, such as Polonius’s daughter Ophelia. His deception of Ophelia seems like an indirect complement to her: she at least is worth taking the time to properly deceive.
Nevertheless, Shakespeare is more willing to give Polonius credit than Hamlet. Certainly, Polonius is smart. He even vaguely understands what Hamlet is getting at with his riddles and jokes. His famous line “though this be madness, yet there is a method in ‘t.” reveals that he at least partially comprehends what he is hearing.
Obviously though, Hamlet is right in that Polonius does not deserve too much in the way of credit. There is an undercurrent of jealousy in Polonius’s dealings with Hamlet: after all, as we discussed in class, Polonius is an unapologetic suck-up and social-climber. Despite his constant effort to please the King, he is still less powerful and important than an insane college kid, which has to drive him crazy. Because Hamlet is smart enough to understand this, he does his best to knock Polonius from his pedestal. When Polonius asks Hamlet if he recognizes him, Hamlet replies, “you are a fishmonger.” In this way, Hamlet makes a mockery of Polonius’s air of self-importance. Also, in act three, Hamlet accidentally kills Polonious, marking a serious turning point in their relationship. And all of Polonious's relationships. The only remorse Hamlet can muster is that he killed a lesser man than the king.
In conclusion, Polonius plays to perfection the role of the serious adult that doesn’t quite get the wit of a younger character.