Polonius

Polonius

1. AO2 (effects, language, structure, quotations)

   • 'wretched, rash, intruding fool'
   • 'fishmonger'
   • 'I will be brief'
   • 'I charge you'
   • 'make inquire of his behaviour'
   • 'what was I about to say?'
   • 'a man faithful and honourable'
   • [aside] 'this be madness'
   • 'you'll tender me a fool'

2. AO1 (understanding & terminology)

   • Aside
   • Characterisation
   • Triple
   • Fourth wall
   • Imperative
   • Irony
   • Rising action

3. AO5 (interpretations, criticism)

   • Polonius as a parody of Queen Elizabeth's leading counsellor, Lord Treasurer
   • Polonius is more sinister than comic in Kenneth Branagh's version
   • Up until 1980, most production portrayed Polonius as senile
   • Polonius is very foolish who loses his way with words a lot

4. AO3 (context)

   • Shakespeare's audience would've known that 'fishmonger' was slang for pimp