Polonius is a character in William Shakespeare's play Hamlet. He serves as the chief counsellor or advisor to King Claudius, the play's antagonist, and is the father of Laertes and Ophelia
. Polonius is portrayed as a verbose, pompous, and somewhat meddlesome old man who is overly concerned with appearances and social standing. He often gives long-winded advice and is seen as officious and untrustworthy by Hamlet
. Throughout the play, Polonius is involved in spying and political intrigue. He sends his servant to spy on his son Laertes in Paris and uses his daughter Ophelia to spy on Hamlet, suspecting Hamlet's madness is due to his love for her. Polonius hides behind a curtain in Queen Gertrude's chamber to eavesdrop on a conversation between Hamlet and Gertrude, but Hamlet mistakenly kills him, thinking he is Claudius. Polonius's death triggers a series of tragic events, including Ophelia's madness and Laertes's quest for revenge, culminating in the play's final duel
. Polonius also provides comic relief in the play, often displaying a lack of self-awareness and contradicting himself, which contrasts with Hamlet's existential struggles
. He embodies multiple archetypes, including the wise old man, the fool, and the scapegoat, whose death symbolizes the collapse of the old social order and sets the stage for the play's tragic climax
. In summary, Polonius is a key secondary character whose actions and death significantly influence the plot and themes of Hamlet as a meddling advisor and concerned, though flawed, father
