Polonius’ family has a very vital part in this play, as it helps to enhance the conflicts happening in the royal family. In my opinion, Polonius, Ophelia and Laertes are victims of circumstances and are also the tragic fools, as they come in between Hamlet and Claudius. This is because, in some ways, they serve as foils to the royal family. They are set up to display the contrast between themselves and the royal family in two ways: through socioeconomic status and family relationships. Firstly, in Act 1, Scene 3, Laertes reminds Ophelia that Hamlet is a prince and they ares to his family’s obligations. Moreover, because of his royal status Hamlet cannot make personal choices for himself, since the whole country will get affected by his actions. Secondly, the contrast between the royal family and Polonius’s family is evident when Ophelia listens to her father and brother, whereas Hamlet does not listen to his mother and step-father. So Polonius’s family shares a close relationship with one another, whereas Hamlet’s relation with Claudius is distant. This is shown when Hamlet says, “A little more than kin, and less than kind.” (I,ii,66). Polonius’ family also shows caring nature for each other. Laertes shows concern for his sister when he warns her about Hamlet’s intentions stating, “Fear it Ophelia, fear it, my dear sister and keep you in the rear of your affection out of the shot and danger of desire.” (I,iii,36-38). On the other hand, Hamlet does not show any concerns for his mother and his step-father. So Polonius’s family helps the readers to understand the importance of the relations in a family.
There are many parallels that exist, in Hamlet, between the two families.
A parallel that exists between the two families involves the father figures spying on their sons as they have trouble controlling their kids. For instance, Polonius spies on Laertes through Reynaldo because he does not trust Laertes to stand by Polonius’s instructions that were given to him near the start of Act I, scene 3. Similarly, Claudius spies on Hamlet through Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to find out the cause of Hamlet’s recent bizarre behavior. Furthermore, Laertes parallels Hamlet’s character as they both are rebellious but, Laertes is passionate and acts quickly, whereas Hamlet is reflective and agonized. Both Laertes and Hamlet have the same role in their families as being the first born male. But, however, they both carry out their role differently. For example, Hamlet allows his emotions to overwhelm him, which can be seen when he confronts his mother during the Closet Scene. Hamlet wears his heart on his sleeve and shows his emotions, thereby rejecting society’s gender rules. Unlike Hamlet, Laertes is more closed off and does not show his emotions, therefore following the society’s gender rules.
The next parallel that the two families share in Hamlet is between Ophelia and Gertrude, and how Hamlet and Laertes perceive them. Both Ophelia and Gertrude love Hamlet but they don’t know how to deal with his madness. Hamlet perceives Gertrude as a weak and dependent woman. For example, during his sililoquy he states, “Frailty, thy name is woman!”( I,ii,146). Hamlet feels his mother is weak and passive as she is trapped into Claudius’s temptation because of her gender. So he perceives women to be emotionally week as compared to men. He also sees her as dependent, as she is unable to rule the kingdom by herself and had to marry Claudius to assist her in ruling the state of Denmark. Likewise, Polonius and Laertes view Ophelia as an innocent, weak and naïve girl. In Act I, Scene iii, both Polonius and Laertes warn Ophelia on her relationship with Hamlet. They try to control her by reminding her of women’s place in the society. They also advise her that Hamlet is a young man who wants nothing but to take her chastity instead of her love. It is seen in the play that these two families form an Oedipal triangle: in this, two males and one female are caught in the middle like a sandwich. Gertrude comes in between Claudius and Hamlet’s rivalry and gets killed. Ophelia, on the other hand also dies by drowning herself because of her father and her brother.
In this play, Shakespeare is trying to show a contrast between two families and the role of a family in one’s life. A family is very important as it shapes our personality and helps in our development. The members of our family love us unconditionally and stick with us through thick and thin. The family teaches us values of life and guides us throughout our life. So, I can say that a person has a great advantage in life if he comes from a loving, supportive family. As it is said, “No other success can compensate for failure in the home.”
There are many parallels that exist, in Hamlet, between the two families.
A parallel that exists between the two families involves the father figures spying on their sons as they have trouble controlling their kids. For instance, Polonius spies on Laertes through Reynaldo because he does not trust Laertes to stand by Polonius’s instructions that were given to him near the start of Act I, scene 3. Similarly, Claudius spies on Hamlet through Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to find out the cause of Hamlet’s recent bizarre behavior. Furthermore, Laertes parallels Hamlet’s character as they both are rebellious but, Laertes is passionate and acts quickly, whereas Hamlet is reflective and agonized. Both Laertes and Hamlet have the same role in their families as being the first born male. But, however, they both carry out their role differently. For example, Hamlet allows his emotions to overwhelm him, which can be seen when he confronts his mother during the Closet Scene. Hamlet wears his heart on his sleeve and shows his emotions, thereby rejecting society’s gender rules. Unlike Hamlet, Laertes is more closed off and does not show his emotions, therefore following the society’s gender rules.
The next parallel that the two families share in Hamlet is between Ophelia and Gertrude, and how Hamlet and Laertes perceive them. Both Ophelia and Gertrude love Hamlet but they don’t know how to deal with his madness. Hamlet perceives Gertrude as a weak and dependent woman. For example, during his sililoquy he states, “Frailty, thy name is woman!”( I,ii,146). Hamlet feels his mother is weak and passive as she is trapped into Claudius’s temptation because of her gender. So he perceives women to be emotionally week as compared to men. He also sees her as dependent, as she is unable to rule the kingdom by herself and had to marry Claudius to assist her in ruling the state of Denmark. Likewise, Polonius and Laertes view Ophelia as an innocent, weak and naïve girl. In Act I, Scene iii, both Polonius and Laertes warn Ophelia on her relationship with Hamlet. They try to control her by reminding her of women’s place in the society. They also advise her that Hamlet is a young man who wants nothing but to take her chastity instead of her love. It is seen in the play that these two families form an Oedipal triangle: in this, two males and one female are caught in the middle like a sandwich. Gertrude comes in between Claudius and Hamlet’s rivalry and gets killed. Ophelia, on the other hand also dies by drowning herself because of her father and her brother.
In this play, Shakespeare is trying to show a contrast between two families and the role of a family in one’s life. A family is very important as it shapes our personality and helps in our development. The members of our family love us unconditionally and stick with us through thick and thin. The family teaches us values of life and guides us throughout our life. So, I can say that a person has a great advantage in life if he comes from a loving, supportive family. As it is said, “No other success can compensate for failure in the home.”
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