Thanks, Kiera. Polonius is Claudius' spymaster, of course, and together their deceit and manipulations are responsible for the whole structure of the play -- they create the Wasteland against which the hero must struggle. We can include all the children here as heroes -- Hamlet, Laertes and Ophelia. The Parental Interference (Wasteland) theme is central to the play (see: ua-cam.com/video/oBwt-bGUUfg/v-deo.htmlsi=OWoQjU7B3R7S9MlB) and C and P are at the heart of it. Polonius can also be seen as a professional lackey. A self-serving, single-minded opportunist. Like Gertrude (probably), he didn't help Claudius kill King Hamlet, but simply attached himself to the next boss who would ensure he maintained his position. Every tyrant needs his lackey. Without the relationship between C and P, Shakespeare wouldn't have been able to develop the play, weaving the complex parent-tyrant themes in with the simpler revenge-plot theme. The outcome would have been a simpler revenge resolution without the addition of the more emotionally sophisticated family tragedy. And, I guess Shakespeare's audience wouldn't have felt the catharsis of seeing the secret police captain William Cecil finally given his comeuppance:)
Hi Molly. The Wasteland is the corruption (cosmic, personal, social) that must be corrected by the Hero. Every story has some variation of the Wasteland. Something’s not right. This is the best video to explain it in more detail: Hamlet Theme 1: Hero's Journey, Wasteland, Great Chain of Being, Parental Interference ua-cam.com/video/oBwt-bGUUfg/v-deo.html
@@nicholasch39 I agree. I'd put that in the manipulation category. This video on Manipulation might help: ua-cam.com/video/EMsDCje3PWQ/v-deo.htmlsi=r7RsknCjfwIOIE_z
Excellent, once again
Thanks for the support, M. Appreciate it.
Interesting and informative
Thanks, Ralph! Glad you like it:)
So helpful - I have one question though. How does Claudius relate to Polonius, and how does this relationship influence the outcome of the play?
Thanks, Kiera. Polonius is Claudius' spymaster, of course, and together their deceit and manipulations are responsible for the whole structure of the play -- they create the Wasteland against which the hero must struggle. We can include all the children here as heroes -- Hamlet, Laertes and Ophelia. The Parental Interference (Wasteland) theme is central to the play (see: ua-cam.com/video/oBwt-bGUUfg/v-deo.htmlsi=OWoQjU7B3R7S9MlB) and C and P are at the heart of it.
Polonius can also be seen as a professional lackey. A self-serving, single-minded opportunist. Like Gertrude (probably), he didn't help Claudius kill King Hamlet, but simply attached himself to the next boss who would ensure he maintained his position. Every tyrant needs his lackey.
Without the relationship between C and P, Shakespeare wouldn't have been able to develop the play, weaving the complex parent-tyrant themes in with the simpler revenge-plot theme. The outcome would have been a simpler revenge resolution without the addition of the more emotionally sophisticated family tragedy. And, I guess Shakespeare's audience wouldn't have felt the catharsis of seeing the secret police captain William Cecil finally given his comeuppance:)
You mention The Wasteland in a few videos I’ve watched now. Could you elaborate on what you mean by it?
Hi Molly. The Wasteland is the corruption (cosmic, personal, social) that must be corrected by the Hero. Every story has some variation of the Wasteland. Something’s not right. This is the best video to explain it in more detail: Hamlet Theme 1: Hero's Journey, Wasteland, Great Chain of Being, Parental Interference
ua-cam.com/video/oBwt-bGUUfg/v-deo.html
Here it is in Harry Potter: ua-cam.com/video/rxO8_GVevL0/v-deo.htmlsi=nQRE90JzdWZ_ag00
Hi, as we know that Polonius is a tricky character, did he actually lie to Hamlet and Ophelia ?
Certainly. But did you have anything in particular in mind?
@@5QShakespeare Polonius just told Ophelia to follow his plans but I don’t think this is called lying to someone
@@nicholasch39 I agree. I'd put that in the manipulation category. This video on Manipulation might help: ua-cam.com/video/EMsDCje3PWQ/v-deo.htmlsi=r7RsknCjfwIOIE_z