Politics and Espionage

\
### Polonius

*Act 2 Scene 1*

@@breathe his faults so quaintly \[...\]A savageness in unreclaimed blood@@

about laertes to reynaldo → spying

\
* Corruption: This conversation reveals Polonius's love of intrigue and his need to control his own children.
* He has a tendency to say very little, using too many words illustrating that he is an experienced politician.

### Polonius

*Act 2 Scene 2*

@@At such a time I'll loose my daughter to him.Be you and I behind the arras then@@

The animal imagery used here highlights the depraved and deplorable nature of Polonius.

He completely objectifies his daughter and does not regard her feelings nor does he recognise real love.

His plan also reflects the conniving nature of this court, shrouded in secrecy, spying and covert dealings.

### Claudius

*Act 2 Scene 1*

@@To draw him on to pleasures, and to gather \[...\] That opened lies within our remedy@@

Claudius  remains the accomplished master of events from Act One, persuading Hamlet's comrades with ease that spying on him is for his own good.

His action mirrors Polonius's behaviour.

### Claudius

*Act 1 Scene 2*

@@Though yet of Hamlet our dear brother's death The memory be green, and that it us befitted To bear our hearts in grief and our whole kingdom To be contracted in one brow of woe,@@

* metaphor: opens with reference to the old King Hamlet; the presence of the King is seeping through (from the first scene to the second, the ghost is even inhabiting Claudius' words)
* plural pronouns throughout; manipulation and Machiavellian speech
* "contracted": legalistic

### Laertes

*Act 1 Scene 3*

@@...: but you must fear, His greatness weigh'd, his will is not his own; \\n For he himself is subject to his birth:@@

\
* "his will is not his own": metaphor/double entrende; Hamlet is constantly being controlled by the monarchy and state, wether it's through his dead father, Claudius, the courtiers etc.
* "subject to his brith": verb of "subject"; a duty; divine right to rule
* Ophelia must "fear" such distinguished differences between them; not for Hamlet's sake but for hers

### AO5

*Critic*

Harry Levin: the antic disposition (1959)

The fool is the means by whereby Shakespeare juxtaposes two irreconcilable political experiences: of being inside the world of power and privilege, and of being outside of it, and so at its mercy

### AO5

*Critic*

Jan Kott 1964 madness and politics

Hamlet is mad because politics is itself madness when it destroys all feeling and affection

### AO5

*Critic*

1936 → Smith → Polonius’ actions

“trained his daughter to use her as bait”

“seems to love his children”

“totally corrupt”

### AO5

*Play*

Duran 2009 → espionage

cameras in room to spy to emphasise Claudius corruption

CCTV → appearances vs reality

those in power can watch and control Hamlet

armed guards = paranoia