Laertes and Polonius Essay

When Ophelia tells her father of critical points holy vows from heaven, his harsh rebuke springes to becharm woodcocks likens her to a game bird considered to be foolish. He later speaks of her as if she were nothing more than an animal Ill loose my daughter to him (II. ii. 160) which over again indicates his lack of respect for his daughter. He and Claudius were concerned only with Hamlet and so she becomes lost in a sea of troubles. Ophelia sidle ups key themes in the tactical manoeuvre, verbalism on the ideas of deception, rot and patriarchy that run through it.Two cardinal themes of the play be deception and the problem of making a mark between appearance and existence. Few things in the play are what they count to be Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are apparently Hamlets friends, just now are in fact spies commissioned by Claudius. There is a play within Hamlet itself. Spying or eavesdropping occurs and smiling villains referred to. The military actions of Ophelia in any case highlight this idea in a variety of ways. Ophelia is also used to demo the theme by the use of imagery.Polonius instructs her to read on this book, / that show of such(prenominal) an exercise may colour / your loneliness. We are oft to blame in this, / tis too much proved, that with devotions visage / and pious action we do sugar oer /the d nuisance himself (III. i. 44-49). This shows how a holy face can be put on something to cover evil deeds. The expressions of love may appear truthful to Ophelia, who speaks of Hamlets softheartedness for her, but (if Polonius and Laertes are to be believed) in reality they may be false, concealing less honourable intentions.Polonius swears that the tenders of (Hamlets) affections for her are mere brokers, not of that colour which their investments show / But mere implorators of unholy suits. They may be traps, springes to widget woodcocks. Ophelia also elbow greases to deceive Hamlet when she partakes in her fathers attempt to discover the cause of Hamlets unusual behaviour. She appears to be altogether and lies that her father is at home when in reality he is eavesdropping on their conversation.As previously discussed, Ophelia may only appear to be a naive, innocent maid and be, in reality, the very opposite. In addition, her true tomfoolery contrasts with and therefore highlights the false nature of Hamlets. Hamlet comments upon how God hath wedded you /one face, and you make yourselves an other(a) and Ophelia does present various faces to different characters, accord to her relationship to them- acting innocent with her father, yet far less so in dealings with Hamlet. Hamlet also refers to the masking of reality by Ophelia when he avows I have heard of your paintings- Hamlet believes that Ophelia may be deceiving him.If the interpretation that she commits suicide is correct, then the innocent imagery is another expression of the theme of likeness her death appears to be an accident, but in reali ty is not. Through the play runs the idea of necessity of revenge for the cleansing of social corruption. This corruption is portrayed in Ophelias death, which also hints at the nightfall of Elsinore. Imagery Hamlet adopts in his first soliloquy implies general corruption of the population and he states that things rank and gross in nature / be in possession of it (I.ii. 136-137).He therefore aims to cleanse what is rotten in Denmark, but his mischance to do so allows the triumph of disease and decay. Laertes warns Ophelia that virtue itself scapes not calumniatory strokes,/ the canker galls the infants of the spring. In addition to Shakespeare employing many images of disease and decay, he also includes several expressions relating to physical deterioration such as the fatness of these dyspnoeic times (III. iv. 154) and the drossy age (V. ii. 181).Ophelias own deterioration accentuates the theme but while all others perish due to their weaknesses, her demise is brought ac tive by her virtues. Ophelia dies from loving too much and for being too pure. The potential of a stronger, wiser side to her character (hinted at by her comebacks at Laertes) is never realised. The granulated nature of the songs she sings in her madness shows that the corrupt world has taken its chime on the pure Ophelia. As discussed, throughout the play she represents innocence, emphasised by imagery and language.Her drowning depicts the death of innocence itself, thus indicates Hamlets trouble and impending disaster for the court. It has been suggested that Shakespeares plays reflect and voice a virile anxiety about the uses of patriarchal power over women, specifically about mans control over womans sexuality. i (i Coppelia Kahn 1981 Mans Estate Masculine Identity in Shakespeare). This could then be true of Hamlet, where the political world of Elsinore is shown not to be a place where women matter much, and this leads to their destruction.They do not have a say in anythin g the world is presented as one where men are controlling and, if necessary, prepared to use women (even their own family) to benefit them in terms of power. Ophelia exemplifies this, mingled by what is happening around her as she strives to do what Polonius, Laertes and Hamlet call for her to. Polonius does not advise Ophelia to be true to herself as he advises Laertes, but points out that Hamlet has the license to do as he wishes whereas she does not. She is airfield to the double standard of the difference between male and female freedom of choice and action.Laertes is treated very differently by his father in comparison to the lack of regard he shows Ophelia. Ophelias wishes are never considered- women had picayune status. Gertrude, too, has limited influence. Claudius and Polonius wield the power. Both women die but Ophelias end bears particular significance because she is driven to it by events she cannot control. Her death indicates the corrupting effects of the male-d ominated political realm of Elsinore, in which, as Polonius shows, there is little room for the consideration of love.All of the characters fail in the sinful world of Elsinore, where there is no possibility for a fulfilled life. Ophelias demise adds to Shakespeares bleak message that evil can triumph. Defeat seems inevitable, whether they sustain the conditions of Elsinore and live with the deceitful principles of the political world as Polonius does, or try out love, as Ophelia does, or attempt to find sense in things, like Hamlet. In conclusion, through Ophelia a greater appreciation of other characters is achievable.She illuminates aspects of Hamlet- his suspicion of women and indecisiveness and, by comparison and contrast with her, also his strength, noblesse and sanity. She gives insight into his nature both prior to and following his fathers death, therefore allowing the audience a better understanding of (and more philanthropy for) him.Also revealed are aspects of Laertes and Polonius characters. Shakespeare uses Ophelia to add more depth to the themes of the play, namely the dangers of patriarchy, illusion and corruption. It is through Ophelia that Shakespeare achieves a genuinely tragic response to the play Hamlet.