What Advice Does Polonius Give Laertes

Polonius's Farewell to Laertes: A Masterclass in Pragmatic Advice (and its Shortcomings)

Polonius, Shakespeare's famously verbose and often ridiculed advisor in Hamlet, delivers a lengthy farewell speech to his son, Laertes, before the latter departs for France. While often dismissed as rambling and hypocritical, Polonius's advice offers a fascinating glimpse into the Elizabethan worldview and the complexities of father-son relationships. This speech, brimming with pragmatic wisdom and questionable morality, provides a rich tapestry for analysis. We will explore its key themes, dissect its individual components, and ultimately assess its effectiveness and lasting impact.

The Core Themes of Polonius's Advice

Polonius's counsel to Laertes can be broadly categorized into several key themes: self-presentation, social conduct, relationships, and moral ambiguity. These themes intertwine and overlap, reflecting the intricate nature of navigating the Elizabethan court and life itself.

Self-Presentation: The Importance of Image

Polonius repeatedly emphasizes the importance of carefully crafting one's public image. He urges Laertes to:

• "Give thy thoughts no tongue, / Nor any unproportioned thought his act." This caution against impulsive actions and rash pronouncements underscores the need for controlled self-expression. In a courtly environment characterized by intrigue and power struggles, discretion is paramount. A carefully managed image can protect one from accusations and potential harm.

• "Costly thy habit as thy purse can buy, / But not expressed in fancy; rich, not gaudy." This advice on attire exemplifies the delicate balance between appearing prosperous and avoiding ostentation. It highlights the need to appear successful without attracting unwanted attention or envy. The emphasis on "rich, not gaudy" suggests a sophisticated understanding of social codes and the importance of appropriate self-presentation.

• "Neither a borrower nor a lender be; / For loan oft loses both itself and friend, / And borrowing dulls the edge of husbandry." This seemingly simple piece of financial advice is far more nuanced. It suggests that maintaining financial independence is crucial for preserving one's dignity and avoiding indebtedness to others. It also highlights the potential damage to relationships caused by financial transactions.

These instructions on self-presentation are not merely superficial concerns about outward appearances. They are fundamental strategies for survival and success in a world where reputation and perception are potent forces.

Social Conduct: Navigating the Complexities of Human Interaction

Polonius's advice extends beyond self-presentation to encompass a broader range of social conduct. He cautions Laertes against:

• Rash judgments: "To thine own self be true, / And it must follow, as the night the day, / Thou canst not then be false to any man." While seemingly straightforward, this advice is complex. Being true to oneself, according to Polonius, involves understanding one's place within the social hierarchy and acting accordingly. This self-knowledge should prevent impulsive actions that could damage one's reputation and standing. This advice is highly contextual – "truth" is not necessarily moral integrity but rather adherence to societal expectations.

• Loose tongues: He warns repeatedly against gossiping and speaking ill of others. This speaks to the dangers of unchecked speech in a society where reputation was heavily guarded.

• Familiarity breeds contempt: Polonius advises Laertes to maintain a certain distance from others, preventing excessive intimacy that could lead to disrespect. This suggests a cautious approach to relationships, prioritizing social maneuvering over genuine connection.

This aspect of Polonius's advice reveals the precarious nature of social interactions in the Elizabethan court. Success required a deft understanding of social dynamics and the ability to navigate complex relationships with caution and strategy.

Relationships: The Father-Son Dynamic and Other Bonds

Polonius's advice also reflects the dynamics of his relationship with Laertes. While outwardly offering guidance, Polonius reveals his own anxieties and insecurities. The speech is more than simple instruction; it’s a reflection of a father's desire to protect his son and ensure his success. However, this paternal concern is often intertwined with manipulation and control.

Polonius's advice regarding Ophelia reveals a deeply controlling and manipulative father-daughter relationship. His admonishments to Ophelia to distance herself from Hamlet expose a patriarchal worldview that prioritizes social standing and family reputation above individual happiness.

The advice, therefore, extends beyond a simple father-son dynamic; it’s an illustration of the power dynamics inherent in Elizabethan society.

Moral Ambiguity: Pragmatism Versus Principle

Perhaps the most striking aspect of Polonius's advice is its moral ambiguity. While some of his pronouncements seem sound, many are tinged with a cynical pragmatism that prioritizes self-interest and social maneuvering over genuine morality. His advice to "give every man thy ear, but few thy voice" suggests a calculated approach to social interactions. He advocates for listening attentively to others but being guarded in one's own pronouncements, a strategy that prioritizes self-preservation over honest communication.

The seemingly contradictory nature of his advice ("To thine own self be true" followed by pragmatic social maneuvers) points to the inherent conflict between personal integrity and the demands of social survival in a courtly environment. It's a masterful portrayal of the moral compromises often necessary to navigate a world of political intrigue and social hierarchy.

The Effectiveness and Legacy of Polonius's Counsel

Ultimately, Polonius's advice proves ineffective. Laertes, despite his father's warnings, becomes entangled in the events leading to Hamlet's revenge. The advice, though presented with seemingly good intentions, is ultimately unable to shield Laertes from the dangers of the court. This failure highlights the limitations of purely pragmatic approaches to life. While Polonius's counsel may help navigate social complexities, it does not account for the unpredictable nature of human events or the power of fate.

The irony is that Polonius, while dispensing shrewd advice to others, lacks the wisdom to see the folly of his own counsel, falling victim to the very schemes and betrayals he cautions Laertes against. His death underscores the hypocrisy at the heart of his pronouncements. The advice is effective in the superficial sense of providing social maneuvering tools, but it fails utterly in fostering true character and resilience.

Polonius's Speech: A Mirror to Elizabethan Society

Polonius's farewell speech offers more than just fatherly advice; it provides a window into the social, political, and moral complexities of Elizabethan England. It illuminates the importance of reputation, the precarious nature of courtly life, and the tension between pragmatic self-interest and ethical behavior. His pronouncements reflect the hierarchical structure of society, the emphasis on social conformity, and the constant struggle for power and influence.

The enduring appeal of Polonius's character lies not simply in his rambling pronouncements but in the hypocrisy and ultimately, the futility of his strategies. His advice is a reflection of a world where appearances often overshadow reality and where careful maneuvering is often prioritized over genuine connection.

Conclusion: Beyond the Quips and Hypocrisy

While often caricatured as a foolish and long-winded old man, Polonius's farewell speech to Laertes is a surprisingly rich and complex piece of writing. It reflects the anxieties and aspirations of a father in a deeply stratified and politically charged society. Though his advice may be flawed and ultimately ineffective, it offers a fascinating glimpse into the Elizabethan worldview and the challenges of navigating a world fraught with intrigue and uncertainty. His pronouncements are not just a set of instructions; they are a mirror reflecting the contradictions and complexities of human nature itself. The legacy of Polonius's advice, then, is not about adherence to his directives, but about contemplating the very nature of his pragmatic approach and its ultimate limitations in the face of life's unpredictable turns. The speech continues to resonate because it speaks to timeless questions of identity, social interaction, and the ever-elusive pursuit of happiness and success.