eaking about tothe reader. Polonius rhetoric and flowery language that emphasize how profound thissubject-matter is in his opinion make this all the more comical. Also the rhythm of Poloniusspeech is different from the rhythm before it: it is simple, with shorter lines, and even a sort ofrhyme achieved by ending lines with the same words. This rhythm makes the speech seem evenshallower and more superficial, contrasting to Polonius intend. Nevertheless, the language,however stupid, suggests that Polonius is an educated man. He is parroting books because to himpompous language is a sign of wisdom. He is concerned about appearing as wise as possible, atthe same time playing- it- up to the royal couple. His mannerisms are almost self-degrading. Thistone is opposite to his tone of authority which he used when speaking to Laertes, Ophelia, andReynaldo, but similar to his tone when speaking with Hamlet though more verbose.Even though Polonius is a comical character, he has a functional relation to the mainthemes of the play and helps us gain insight on other characters. I find the following quote to beone of Polonius most ironic lines: "Madam, I swear I use no art at all," (II. ii 104). Readersshould laugh to the absurdity of this statement. Polonius used a very wicked art; deceit, to gainknowledge that was none of his business. Polonius was a conniving, pompous hypocrite whoseend was justified by his means. He was literally stabbed in the back without his identity beingknown to the murderer, just like he symbolically stabbed Hamlet in the back with his reports andcomments to the King questioning Hamlets sanity. The artificiality of Polonius suggests the kindof world in which Hamlet and the other characters live in after his death, as well as a world inwhich we live today: full of deceit, hypocrisy, pretense and masks. ...
