2. Polonius enters and offers Laertes a “few precepts”. Many of them have become quite well known over the past four hundred years. As soon as Laertes leaves, Polonius become very inquisitive. When Ophelia tells him the gist of Laertes’s advice, he emphasizes the danger in accepting Hamlet’s attentions. He commands Ophelia to break with Hamlet and, like all dutiful children, she obeys. Obedience was expected of children in Elizabethan days, but Cordelia in King Lear, Juliet in Romeo and Juliet, and Desdemona in Othello were well-loved Shakespearean heroines who obeyed their hearts’ dictates rather than their fathers’. What evidence is there that Polonius himself was a worldly man?

Question

2. Polonius enters and offers Laertes a “few precepts”. Many of them have become quite well known over the past four hundred years. As soon as Laertes leaves, Polonius become very inquisitive. When Ophelia tells him the gist of Laertes’s advice, he emphasizes the danger in accepting Hamlet’s attentions. He commands Ophelia to break with Hamlet and, like all dutiful children, she obeys. Obedience was expected of children in Elizabethan days, but Cordelia in King Lear, Juliet in Romeo and Juliet, and Desdemona in Othello were well-loved Shakespearean heroines who obeyed their hearts’ dictates rather than their fathers’. What evidence is there that Polonius himself was a worldly man?

is this corecct???
First, he knows what is going on in his daughter’s life and knows how to control her through his words and actions. Secondly he knows what to say at the right time and gives good and not ironic advice to his daughter. He is also a wise man in the sense he knows what Hamlet wants from his daughter. Lastly he gets her to agree with him which is very hard to do for a parent

I think I would pay attention to the advice given to Laertes. Most of that is very worldly advice...advice of a man that understood the world. Go back and read that.

Is the second paragraph you posted a paraphrasing or summary of the first? If so, it's fine. If not, please re-post with your specific question about this passage, and someone will try to help you.

=)

One last thought on the first paragraph, apparently written by your teacher. It cites Ophelia as dutiful. I am not certain that is what Shakespeare had in mind for her character. Perhaps he wanted a weak woman, who would fail Hamlet in his need. Ophelia was the weak woman. In the other plays you cited, they were strong women. I am not so certain dutiful had much to do with it.

Answer 1

The evidence presented in your response does indicate that Polonius is portrayed as a worldly man in Shakespeare's play, Hamlet. Here's a breakdown of the evidence you provided:

1. Polonius knows what is going on in his daughter's life and knows how to control her through his words and actions. This suggests that he is well-informed and knowledgeable about the affairs of the world.

2. Polonius gives good, non-ironic advice to his daughter at the right time. This implies that he has wisdom and practical knowledge about navigating life's challenges.

3. Polonius understands what Hamlet wants from his daughter, which indicates his awareness of others' motives and intentions.

4. Polonius successfully persuades his daughter to agree with him, which suggests he has skill in influencing and manipulating others.

These qualities collectively indicate that Polonius is presented as a worldly man within the context of the play. However, it's important to note that interpretations of literary characters may vary, and different readers may have different perspectives on the characters and their motivations.