Hamlet, An analysis of Polonious

Although Polonius is bent on servitude and devotion to King Claudius, he is torn between his career ambitions and his family. Polonius deceitful actions serve as an epitome of a typical character in "Hamlet." He is a politician, and politicians are generally two faced individuals. For example, while his son Laertes was prepping to leave Denmark to travel to France, Polonius gave him a fatherly speech of proper manners. In the following act, he sends …

…himself while in the King's presence; everything is "Yes, my lord." Choosing to further his career rather than honoring his family ultimately leads to his untimely death. Inside he is the model father; he gives his children suitable advice and looks after them. But it is his ambition that constrains him from being the perfect paternal figure to his children. Polonius's death is just another example of Shakespeare's prevailing theme that "No sin goes unpunished."