Analytical Essay: Polonius

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Polonius is a father first and foremost in this story. He is a man who has seen a lot and understands much about the world around him and the people in it. The most Polonius is heard in the play is when he tries to impart wisdom to his children in act 1 scene 3. This shows off a lot about who he is and his world view. I think Polonius character is a perfect example of a person bound by society and the philosophy of one such person and this can be seen in his character, his philosophy and the influence upon him.
Polonius seems like a happy old father who loves his kids and I think that would be a good shallow outline for him but I think he is more. He is wise and has come to understand and be content with life but is still scared for his children. He is defiantly loyal and …show more content…

This tells me that Polonius has learned to be patient and this is good advice found in the bible many times. The next thing he tell his son is "Be thou familiar, but by no means vulgar." (61). This added to the biblical advice makes it a little less biblical to me and a little more societal. While Christians are defiantly not supposed to be vulgar it is a different kind of vulgar Polonius is talking about here. He is basically saying don't share enough of yourself to make people offended by you or to seem vulgar to them. Christians are hated sometimes because they do share so much about themselves that society doesn't accept it and that is exactly what Polonius is warning his son against is running against the stream. This is what I want to focus on the most about his character. This attitude of not running against the stream to keep everyone liking you has pros and cons. People will respect you more like Polonius had come to be respected and how he wanted the same for his son but I think that it can keep you from good and cause you to do harm when you just want to fit in and keep from offending

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