Polonius and Laertes is the second pair of father and sons in the play Hamlet who represent
ignorance and foolishness. Polonius is the top servant to King Claudius and the father to Laertes and
Ophelia. He is a confident and wealthy businessman who treats his children as his property. Polonius
never seems to be primarily concerned with his children, he is rather naïve towards what they do. But
Polonius thinks he has his priorities straight with being primarily concerned with proving his loyalty and
dutifulness to King Claudius (Jordan). Polonius acts ignorant and naïve towards what he himself says.
When he speaks publicly, he mostly is ridiculing the way things are in that time period. Polonius acts
positive and confident because he knows that he used to have a strong mind but now, he is completely
naïve towards knowing he is much weaker (Luz Jr.). Polonius dwells in the past and is ignorant towards
what is going on around him in the present (Luz Jr.). Polonius seems to be going through is “second
childhood” from his rambling and misuse of words, misunderstanding concepts, and poor judgment
(Jordan). Polonius can be hard-headed because he is bossy, a manipulator, a busybody, and a relentless
snoop (Jordan). He does not trust anyone so he uses unethical and unlawful ways to find out information.
This attitude back fires and leads to his death.
Laertes is the son of Polonius and the brother of Ophelia. He is said to be “a chip off the old
block” (Jordan). He resides in Paris where he is free-willed and foolish, and he returns at the beginning of
the play to Elsinore for King Claudius’ coronation. Laertes is self-centered, superficial, energetic and
carefree (Jordan). He treats Ophelia similar to the way Polonius treats her, he lectures Ophelia and doesn’t
listen to Ophelia’s replies, “Do not, as some ungracious pastors do show me the steep and thorny way to
heaven, whiles like a puffed and reckless libertine, himself the primrose path of dalliance treads, and
recks not his own rede” (Beaty 1683). After Laertes lectured Ophelia about Hamlet, she replies by saying
to not lecture her when he doesn’t listen. Laertes is an outstanding swordsman and fencer but he has an
unmanageable temper and acts impulsively, which leads to his death.
Polonius and Laertes have similar principles towards how they treat and act towards others during
the play. Polonius and Laertes treat Ophelia the same way; they both treat her like she is a very young
child and as her opinion and her desires do not matter. Both agree that Ophelia and Hamlet’s romance
needs to be ceased. Laertes talks to Ophelia first about his concerns with her and Hamlet, “Perhaps he
loves you know, and now no soil nor cautel doth besmirch the virtue of his will, but you must fear, his
greatness weighed, his will is not his own, for he himself is subject to his birth” (Beaty 1683). Laertes
tells Ophelia that Hamlet’s love is fleeting and that she should no longer be with him. Polonius agrees
with Laertes and demands that Ophelia is to never see Hamlet again. Polonius and Laertes do not care for
Hamlet which is the reasoning behind their belief that Hamlet is wrong for Ophelia. They seem to care
enough for Ophelia to warn her, but they both do not listen to how Ophelia feels about the situation. They
are inconsiderate towards their daughter/sister’s feelings. Polonius and Laertes both act foolish
throughout the play. They act ignorant towards the facts and dwell on themselves and their desires.
Polonius dwells on the past and Laertes dwells on his carefree youth.
Polonius and Laertes have very different personalities. While both are foolish in their own ways,
they also contrast each other. Polonius and Laertes have their differences that are not directly shown
through their conversations with each other. Polonius tends to concern himself with pleasing King
Claudius and keeping up a good image. But, Laertes is more concerned with having fun and enjoying his
life until his father is killed and he seeks revenge. Polonius is a crook because he deceives his own son
(Mabillard). He allows for Laertes to return to Paris but sends his servant, Reynaldo, to spy on him,
“Enquire me first what Danskers are in Paris, and how, and who, what means, and where they keep, what
company, at what expense; and finding by this encompassment and drift of question that they do know
my son, come you more nearer than your particular demands will touch it. Take you as 'twere, some
distant knowledge of him, as thus, 'I know his father and his friends, and in part him.' Do you mark this,
Reynaldo?” (Beaty 1694). Polonius deceives others in the play but this particular deception is worse
because it is his own son. Both Polonius and Laertes have their imperfections that lead to their tragic falls.