Free Hamlet Essays - The Character of Polonius
Polonius is the chief counsellor to Claudius, and although there is no evidence , it is possible that he had held a position at court under Hamlet's father, the old King. He is certainly trusted and held in high regard by Claudius, who tells Laertes that his father is extremely important to Denmark:
"The head is not more native to the heart
The hand more instrumental to the mouth
Than is the throne of Denmark to thy father."
It is tempting to dismiss Polonius as a fool and, as Hamlet calls him a "prating knave", because of his pomposity and his tedious pedantry, but to do so would be unwise. He is indeed irritating, but he is not stupid. Foolish, perhaps, in his stubborn belief that he knows best what is the cause of Hamlet's madness, but it is an astute guess, given what he knows about the love affair between Ophelia and the prince, and the evidence of the letter which he shows to the King. He is not, however, always likeable and it is unclear as to whether his children love him, or just accord him healthy respect. There seems to be evidence that it is Laertes to whom Ophelia feels closer than to her father, as it is he whom she tells about Hamlet's affections and there is a terse note in Polonius's dialogue with his daughter, especially after the nunnery scene, when her evident distress is curtly dismissed by her father. Polonius is clearly unscrupulous about setting spies on his children, as we see when Reynaldo is sent to Paris to check Laertes' behaviour. It is also obvious that Polonius is well aware of Ophelia's relationship with Hamlet and that he has been reported to about it, so presumably his spies are at work in the court all the time. He is quick to suggest that Ophelia is used as a decoy to observe Hamlet's "madness" and as we have seen , seems unmoved by her distress when Hamlet renounces her.
In Hamlet, The new king Claudius is able to gain respect from the kingdom. He even steals the love of Hamlet’s mother Gertrude. The old king’s councilor, Polonius, becomes Claudius’s councilor and his best friend. He helps Claudius keep an eye on Hamlet and tries to keep him from finding out anything about his father’s death. Polonius believes that if he helps Claudius that he can make life better for himself and for his daughter and son. But in the end, his actions get him slayed, drive his daughter to insanity, and eventually set...
In the first scene of Act II, Polonius and Ophelia discuss the meaning of Hamlet's odd behavior. Though the two characters agree his actions arise out of the torment of spurned love, they arrive at that point through very different means. At the beginning of the dialogue, Ophelia says that she has been "affrighted" by Hamlet in her bed chamber. (II,i 75) Her encounter with the Prince left her scared about his real intentions. She says that he looks like he has been,"loosed out of hell/To speak of horrors". (II,i 83-4) The very fact that Hamlet does not speak one word to Ophelia makes him look even more intimidating. By not speaking anything, Hamlet at once strengthens his image as a madman, as well as shrouding his real intentions towards those around him. Just following this passage comes a place in the text where we can see how the character of Ophelia has been manipulated by Polonius. After his "hint" that he might be doing this out of frustrated love, Ophelia says that that is what she truly does fear. (87) Her feelings of pity and concern are shaped by her father in order to fit his case of madness against Hamlet.
During Hamlet, Polonius and Laertes use Ophelia for their own self-gain not taking her feelings in consideration. In the article “Jephthah's Daughter's Daughter: Ophelia,” Cameron Hunt reveals that Polonius disregards Ophelia’s wants for his ...
What is Child Labor?Child Labor is work that harms children or keeps them from attending school. Around the world and in the U.S., growing gaps between rich and poor in recent decades have forced millions of young children out of school and into work. It is estimated that 215 million children between the ages of 5 and 17 are currently working under conditions that are considered illegal, hazardous, or extremely exploitative.1 Underage children work many different types of jobs that included commercial agriculture, fishing, manufacturing, mining, and domestic services. Some children were involved in illicit activities that included drug trade, prostitution, and other traumatic occupations that included serving as soldiers. Child Labor involved threatening children’s physical, mental, or emotional well- being. It involved intolerable abuse, such as slavery, child trafficking, debt bondage, forced labor or illicit activities and prevented children from going to school.
Many felt strongly opposed to child labor but assumed nothing could be done. However, working conditions slowly but surely improved. Their diets became better. It became illegal to employ children in certain circumstances. Laws were passed so children were not working such long hours. They were even given off for holidays.
The causes of child labor are many, including poverty, poor education, limiting workers’ rights, poor laws for child labor, global competition, free trade rules, and structural a...
I agree with the statement that Polonius, adviser in the court of King Claudius of Denmark, is a good father who desires what is best for his children. Although he may be a fussy and overcautious old man, Polonius constantly gives good advice and his best wishes to both his children, Laertes and Ophelia.
...e high rates of unemployment and civil war. Unfortunately, many of them are made to work beyond their physical ability and under life threatening conditions. This practice is illegal in most countries. There is a move to boycott goods and products made from countries who allow the employment of child labor from developed nations. Child labor is an inhumane practice. Childhood should be a time for children to play and be carefree, enjoying the company of other children and getting a proper education not being obligated to work and feel the stress of adults. Children are not equipped to work as adults and this inhumane practice should be eliminated. The government should enforce the law and make the violators pay heavy fines. “All such adverse practices are to be abolished once for all, without leaving its traces for future generations. -William Wordworth”
Children that worked in factories were cheaper to hire than adults and could be manipulated with physical abuse to work extensive hours and for low wages. The Industrial Revolution brought population increase which equaled to more child workers. New factories were built which brought more jobs. These jobs led to more houses to be built and people flocked to the factories for the jobs. With a sustained income, families grew and thus the population increased. The population increase allowed for more child workers, which said before, were much cheaper labor than adults and they did not need to be skilled. Children would work 12-19 hours a day with minimal break time. They would get whipped, beaten and abused if they fell asleep on the job or if they were ever out of line, mostly the younger children were susceptible to this. There was no use for expensive skilled workers anymore because the Industrial Revolution brought machines which were easy to operate. The children did not need any special skills to operate the machines so the factory owners could pay them very little, often 10-20% of the salary of an adult. The factory owners profited greatly because of how little they had to pay their employees and how many items were produced and sold.
Life hasn’t changed much from the 1600s to the 2000s because advice given 400 years ago still fits with today society. In Today’s society people face many consequences based on what they do and people look for advice from trust worthy people so they don’t get in a situation where they would be faced with dangerous consequences. In Hamlet the character Polonius gives the advice I believe we are looking for. The advice that Polonius gives it what he gives to his son Laertes before he leaves for college. We well be looking at the advice that Polonius gives and see how it is useful in today’s society. By comparing the advice that Polonius gives to Laertes, it still has value and still applies today and examples of the consequences of not taking
He is essentially telling Ophelia how she should be behaving and reacting to her own situations. This is portraying her as a woman who cannot think for herself and is dependant on Polonius. In addition, Polonius’ death is the trigger to Ophelia’s insanity, because she depended upon him a great deal. When Ophelia is told by Polonius to never contact Hamlet again, she obeys Polonius, but Hamlet acts crazy in reaction to her denial. Ophelia says, “No, my good lord; but, as you did command, / I did repel his letters and denied / His actions to me.” (2.1.109-111) By doing everything Polonius tell her to do, she makes matters for herself worse. Ophelia cannot stand up for her...
Children working might not seem like a bad ordeal; however, kids doing labor might paint a different thought in mind. Child labor is a form of human trafficking, which is present all around the world, but many people in different countries do not see it as a problem. School and the freedom to be a kid is given up because of human trafficking. Child labor is something that needs to stop all around the world. People do not see the damage of human trafficking like child labor and the affect it has on children on a mental and physical level.
Child labor is a great thing if looked at in the correct way. Adolescents can gain immense benefits and it can seriously improve their chances for a better job fit, higher level of education, and all around improved life.
The child labor was create back in eighteen century. It was a situation where young Children at age fourteen to sixteen was able to work in the United States and United Kingdom. During this period of time children were forced to work in factories. Some children as young as five were force to work to help their family, but at same time it was limited in some states where they considered to be illegal and people think it was violation of human right.
Child labor is one of the biggest concerns occurring around the world. Over one hundred million children work in dangerous conditions in agriculture, mining, and other sectors. People around the world are working to end child labor and help them reunite with their families as well get them an education. Child labor violates human rights due to its inhumane actions that result in the amount of casualties, injuries and poverty. This global issue cannot be resolved unless laws and regulations are reinforced strictly.