Hamlet describes the word as
[...] an unweeded gardenThat grows to seed. Things rank and gross in naturePossess it merely. (1.2.135-137)
Such a description might make us think of the Garden of Eden—certainly religious references abound in the play— specifically Paradise after the fall of Adam and Eve through the machinations of the Devil who tempts Eve while in the form of a snake. In the play, Polonius's involvement in the relationship between Hamlet and Ophelia destroys it too; Polonius tells Ophelia that she must break off her relationship with Hamlet because Hamlet feels only lust for her and could not marry her even if he wanted to. It turns out that this is not true (Gertrude later expresses her desire that Ophelia would have been in daughter-in-law)—just as what the snake tells Eve is not true—and it initiates a sequence of events that leads to Ophelia's destruction as well as Hamlet's. It seems especially fitting that Ophelia passes out flowers just before the dies and then dies while she is hanging flower garlands. Her Eden was destroyed by Polonius's involvement.
Snakes are cold-blooded creatures that tend to hide away to regulate their temperature. They are traditionally considered devious because they sneak up on prey and strike, often poisoning the victim before it knows what is happening.
Polonius can likewise be seen as a snake because he is a cold-blooded courtier who will do whatever it takes to advance his career. He is devious when he sends his servant Reynaldo to spy on Laertes in France. Polonius also spies on Hamlet. The first time, he does so with Claudius to try to determine if Hamlet's strange behavior is due to his being in love with Ophelia. The second time he spies on Hamlet, Hamlet mistakes him for Claudius and kills Polonius.
As far as Hamlet is concerned, Polonius is not a trustworthy figure because he is a sycophant, a devious person who will lie and flatter to get ahead.
No comments:
Post a Comment