The Rotten State of Denmark - a Study of Shakespeare’s Hamlet

Polonius - a Caring Father or a Self-obsessed Deceiver Whose Actions Reflect the Amoral Court in Which He Works?

Group 1:  Polonius and Claudius

	What is Polonius' position in Elsinore?
	Look at the end of Act 2 scene 1 - what does he say to his daughter that reflects his sycophancy towards Claudius?
	Act 2 scene 3: How does Polonius exploit his daughter's unhappiness to curry favour with Claudius?
	Claudius listens to Polonius and accepts his plan to "loose my daughter to him".  If Claudius' supports Polonius, what does this suggest about Polonius' character?

Group 2:  Polonius and Laertes

	In Act 1 Scene 3, Laertes is advised by his father to do what?  Find at least three examples of his advice. 
	How is this advice more to do with etiquette than ethics?
	Why might Polonius' final piece of advice to Laertes be ironic in the light of Act 2 Scene 1?
	Look at Act 2 scene 1 - what is Polonius willing to believe about his son?
	What is the reality behind Reynaldo's visit to Paris, on Polonius' instruction?

Group 3:  Polonius and Ophelia

	Act 1 scene 3 - how does Polonius treat Ophelia's love for Hamlet?  Is he justified in his advice to her?
	Act 2 scene 1: How has Polonius' advice to Ophelia potentially made her more unhappy?
	Act 2 scene 2:  how is Ophelia treated in this scene by her father 

Further activity:  split class in two to debate:  Polonius - a caring father or a self-obsessed deceiver?

© Ministry of Education, Wellington, New Zealand (First published 1998)