What is the significance of the advice given by Polonius to Laertes?
Rachel Fowler
Updated on March 12, 2026
What is the significance of the advice given by Polonius to Laertes?
Polonius tells his son that his character is very important, and the he should make sure his actions and words mimic a strong character. He reminds him that it is good and important to have friends, but make sure that these are good friends.
What does dull thy palm mean?
POLONIUS: But do not dull thy palm with entertainment Of each new hatch’d, unfledged comrade. RALPH: So in other words, don’t waste your time meeting and befriending every young guy around. So Polonius is comparing inexperienced young men to fledglings that are not yet able to fly.
What are three pieces of advice that Polonius gives to Laertes?
Give thy thoughts no tongue, Nor any unproportioned thought his act. Of entrance to a quarrel, but being in, Bear’t that the opposed may beware of thee. Give every man thy ear, but few thy voice; Take each man’s censure, but reserve thy judgment.
What line does Polonius use in his advice Laertes?
At the end of this long-winded speech comes the famous line “To thine own self be true.” This is arguably good life advice, but it is also comedic, given that Polonius has just spent so long telling Laertes exactly how to act and now seems to contradict it all by essentially saying, “Just be yourself.”
Is Polonius a good father?
I agree with the statement that Polonius, adviser in the court of King Claudius of Denmark, is a good father who desires what is best for his children. Although he may be a fussy and overcautious old man, Polonius constantly gives good advice and his best wishes to both his children, Laertes and Ophelia.
Is Polonius advice to Laertes good or bad?
Polonius, Lord Chamberlain to the bad king in Hamlet, advises his son, Laertes, headed for Paris, “Neither a borrower nor a lender be. For loan oft loses both itself and friend.” Well, I’ve loaned serious money to friends but always put strict covenants in place.
What does Polonius mean when he tells Laertes Be thou familiar but by no means vulgar?
Be thou familiar, but by no means vulgar. Those friends thou hast, and their adoption tried, Grapple them to thy soul with hoops of steel;” Polonius is telling his son that he should that he see what he can learn and be from other people. He shouldn’t pay attention to other people and be friendly to other people.
Who said Give every man thine ear but few thy voice?
William Shakespeare quote: Give every man thy ear, but few thy voice. Quotes of famous people.
Who is Polonius speaking to and why?
Polonius then tells Gertrude and Claudius that he thinks Hamlet’s behavior is due to his feelings for Ophelia. They hatch a plan to figure out what’s really going on: Polonius will send Ophelia to talk to the mad Hamlet and prove once and for all that he’s crazy with love. Hamlet then enters, mad as ever.
What is Polonius most famous line?
Polonius’s most famous lines are found in Act 1 Scene 3 (“Neither a borrower nor a lender be”; “To thine own self be true”) and Act 2 Scene 2 (“Brevity is the soul of wit”; and “Though this be madness, yet there is method in’t”) while others have become paraphrased aphorisms (“Clothes make the man”; “Old friends are …
Who killed Polonius?
Hamlet
Hamlet, realizing that someone is behind the arras and suspecting that it might be Claudius, cries, “How now! a rat?” (III. iv. 22). He draws his sword and stabs it through the tapestry, killing the unseen Polonius.
What is the significance of Polonius advice to Laertes to Ophelia?
In Polonius’ chambers, Laertes prepares to return to school in Paris. He counsels his sister Ophelia to spurn the advances of her suitor, Prince Hamlet. He explains that, to Hamlet, she can never be anything more than a plaything.