Hamlet: Polonius and Ophelia 

The relationship between Ophelia and Polonius is one that Shakespeare deeply explores in Act 1 Scene 3, as Polonius sees her as a fragile and naïve child that needs to be protected at all costs, therefore forcing her to become a weak and acquiescent character in the eyes of the audience. 

Polonius firstly belittles her affections for Hamlet saying ‘Affection? Puh! You speak like a green girl,’ using a harsh tone he dismisses any affection or feelings that Hamlet may have for Ophelia and instead of comforting her or trying to give useful advice he insults her intelligence by calling her ‘green girl.’ The use of this phrase shows how immature and naïve Polonius believes that Ophelia is. In addition, the use of the interjection ‘puh’ shows how Polonius is not only dismissive but he is also disgusted by what Ophelia has told him; also, the lexical choice emphasises his disdain elucidating how little Polonius thinks of Ophelia. Moreover, in this line Polonius also reveals a possessive and controlling side to him as he dismisses Hamlet’s affection, as he ironically implies that his supposed affection and love is all that Ophelia needs and their relationship should be the most important, even though Polonius uses many harsh words and emotions when talking to Ophelia, contradicting his message of the importance of his love. 

The relationship between the father and daughter seems to become in many ways dysfunctional as Ophelia tells Polonius that she does ‘not know my lord what I should think.’ This line shows how because of Polonius’ overbearing nature, Ophelia is rendered into a subservient state in which she has no control over her own actions or even thoughts. The use of the phrase ‘my lord’ shows a coldness towards Polonius and emphasises that idea that she sees him as a higher power that can control her. 

However, the lack of a capital letter on the lexis ‘lord’ shows that she may not actually respect her father even though she may outwardly seem that she is the dutiful daughter who does what her father commands. Alternatively, this line could be seen as subtly defiant as she may be mocking him and making herself look weak and obedient, linking back to the idea that she does not actually respect her father as much as it may outwardly seem. 

Polonius’ affection for his daughter is shown not to be his top priority as he describes how she’ll ‘tender me a fool’ showing how he is worried about how his actions will affect his reputation, therefore elucidating the impression that his daughter is actually not the most important aspect of his life. The emphasis on the pronoun ‘me’ in the middle of the phrase shows how he his warnings and advice to Ophelia have ulterior motives other than just pure concern for his daughter. 

Polonius is shown to be hypocritical as he does exactly what he accuses Hamlet of doing to Ophelia, as he always has the burden of his reputation hanging around him, much like Hamlet has the burden of his loyalty to Denmark hanging like a noose around his neck, meaning that both characters can never give Ophelia their full affection and attention. This similarity shows the audience how strained the relationship between Ophelia and Polonius is and will always be. 

The relationship between Polonius and Ophelia is a strained one in which both parties disguise their true feelings and motives under their carefully chosen words. Polonius is shown as an overbearing and controlling father who belittles and demeans Ophelia as he treats her like a little girl of whom he doesn’t expect much of and Ophelia, as a result, has no choice but to submit and obey the demands of her father.