Hamlet Act 1 scene 1-4

Most of the advice Polonius gives Laertes concerns etiquette and ways to make a good impression on other people. Name the precept from Polonius's farewell speech to his son that seems to contain the best advice on how to be a good person rather than look like a successful person.

This is the most important, in my opinion.

"This above all: to thine own self be true,

And it must follow, as the night the day,

Thou canst not then be false to any man."

In Act 1, Scene 3 of Hamlet, Polonius offers several precepts to his son Laertes in his farewell speech. The precept that seems to contain the best advice on how to be a good person rather than just look like a successful person is as follows:

"This above all: to thine own self be true,
And it must follow, as the night the day,
Thou canst not then be false to any man."

Here, Polonius advises Laertes to prioritize being true to oneself above all else. He emphasizes the importance of authenticity and integrity in one's character. By following this precept, one can maintain honesty and avoid being deceitful or false to others. It encourages individuals to embrace their true nature and not pretend or conform to others' expectations.

To find the precept from Polonius's farewell speech to his son that contains advice on how to be a good person rather than just looking successful, we need to refer to Act 1, Scene 3 of Shakespeare's Hamlet. Here's how you can find it:

1. Open the text of Hamlet and locate Act 1, Scene 3. You can find the play in a physical copy, or you can search for an online version or e-book of Hamlet.

2. Read through the dialogue between Polonius and Laertes in Act 1, Scene 3. This is where Polonius gives his farewell speech to his son Laertes, offering him various advice.

3. Pay attention to the lines spoken by Polonius and look for a precept that focuses on being a good person rather than merely appearing successful. Precepts are moral or practical principles that guide behavior.

4. In this scene, Polonius provides several pieces of advice, but one precept that reflects guidance on moral behavior can be found in lines 78-82 (in most editions of Hamlet): "Give thy thoughts no tongue, / Nor any unproportioned thought his act. / Be thou familiar, but by no means vulgar. / Those friends thou hast, and their adoption tried, / Grapple them unto thy soul with hoops of steel."

The precept that stands out here is "Be thou familiar, but by no means vulgar." This advice encourages Laertes to maintain friendly relationships but avoid being coarse or disrespectful. It reflects the idea of being a good person by showing respect and kindness to others rather than merely trying to appear successful.

Remember, to fully understand the context and meaning of the precepts and Polonius's advice, it's important to read the entire scene carefully.

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