Character Analysis: Polonius

1. "What is't, Ophelia, he hath said to you?" (I.3.88)

Laertes, Polonius' son, had just been talking to Ophelia, Laertes' sister as well as Polonius' daughter, about how Hamlet's feelings for her are only temporary based on his lusts. Polonius walks in and Laertes leaves immediately. Polonius, not trusting his own son, asks his daughter what Laertes said to her. He does not trust his own son which is sad, but it gives the reader a speculation about whether or not Laertes has done something bad before. Either way, Polonius does not trust his own son by questioning what he said to his daughter.

2. "Give him this money and these notes, Reynaldo." (II.1.1)

Polonius is asking Reynaldo if he can give the king this money and notes to let him know to keep an eye out for Laertes. Polonius, again, does not trust his own son and is now asking others to spy on him to make sure that his not doing anything "out of line." Polonius it seems is quite a deceiver, even to his own family, sort of like the Queen to her own son.

3. "Do you know me, my lord?...Not I, my lord....Honest, my lord?...That's very true, my lord...I have, my lord." (II.2.173-180)

Polonius is speaking to Hamlet here, and he (Polonius) is trying very hard to suck up to Hamlet by continuously calling him "my lord." Polonius, again here, is displaying his deceitfulness, this time to Hamlet.

4. "Lights, lights, get us some lights!"

The King has just exclaimed for the lights to be turned on, and here, Polonius is trying very hard to have the act done. As Horatio is to Hamlet, Polonius is to the King. Polonius' loyalties are shown through this quote to be given to the illegitimate king.

5. "O, I am slain!" (III.4.26)

Polonius had been hiding behind the tapestry listening to what Hamlet was saying to his mother. Polonius sensed that Hamlet was going to kill the Queen so Polonius called for help. Hamlet heard him and stabbed into the tapestry and killed Polonius. Even during the death of Polonius, he was being deceitful and sneaky, just like he has always been.