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Polonius 'To Blame In Shakespeare's Hamlet'

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Hamlet Essay
After reading Shakespeare’s Hamlet, one may assume that it was King Claudius who was responsible for the tragedy that befalls its characters. However, upon reevaluating the novel, one should realize that another character is to blame. Indeed, it was none other than Polonius, chief counselor of the king.

It all began with Polonius halting the correspondence between his daughter Ophelia, and Prince Hamlet. Polonius said, “I would not... from this time forth… have you so slander… as to give words or talk to Lord Hamlet” [Act 1 Sc.3 L.141-144]. His reasoning was that she was too young and naïve to be with him [Act 1 Sc.3 L.110]. Ophelia obeyed her father’s wishes.

As a result of Ophelia ignoring him, Hamlet began to act strangely. This behavior concerned King Claudius, who then searched for an explanation from Polonius. He told the king that the cause of Hamlet’s lunacy was due to Ophelia, and her advised rejection of his letters. He says that Hamlet “fell into sadness” which lead him “into the madness wherein now he raves” …show more content…

They then decided to spy on the prince.

As a result, Hamlet killed Polonius when he realized he was being spied on, mistaking him for the king. Consequently, Ophelia went crazy and was found dead, and an angry Laertes returned from France, determined to avenge his father. Sharing a common interest, he and King Claudius devised a plan to poison Prince Hamlet. This plan, however, went horribly wrong.
First, the celebrating queen unknowingly drank the poison and called out, “The drink! The drink! O, my dear Hamlet! I am poisoned” [Act 5 Sc.2

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