| Act two opens with Polonius and Reynaldo talking about Laertes. Polonius is asking Reynaldo to go to France and keep tabs on his son. Polonius is asking, "Take you as 'twere some distant knowledge of him, As thus, 'I know his father, and his friends, Andin part him.' Do you mark this, Reynaldo?" (2.1.14-16) Polonius is telling him to ask about him, to snoop around but not let it be known that he knows Laertes. It changes our views on Polonius. Polonius plays with the idea of appearance vs. reality. He seems like a very caring person, a loving father and loyal server to the family. But what he really is, he is a he's self-absorbed and devious man. He does not care that his son's name may become a bad thing, he's selfish and does what pleases him. The talk with Reynaldo and Polonius shows that he is a bad person and plans on not doing any good further on in the play. Polonius looks to be the drama creator. Once everything dies down,he must start something new. Overall, Polonius creates a lot of drama and may be the cause of everything that happens in the play. |
