Hamlet opens at the castle in Denamrk where King Hamlet has died recently. After the death of King Hamlet, his brother bacame king and married King Hamlet's widowed wife, Gertrude. Polonius was a friend of Claudius, and when Claudius bacame the king, Polonius a member of his council and his informant. Polonius found out that his daughter, Ophelia was seeing Prine Hamlet. Hamlet was the nephew of Claudius. Polonius then forbade Opheliato see Pronce Hamlet again; hoever, he still needed information to bring the king. Polonius used Ophelia, Hamlet, and Gertrude to gather information for Claddius and maintain his status in the court, but his actions resulted in thier deaths.
Ophelia was a young girl who was in love with Prince Hamlet. Her father had raised Ophelia since her mother died when she was younger. Polonius obviously favored his older son Laertes, which can be seen through Polonius' advice and behavior toward Laertes, but since he was the only parent, Ophelia was obliged to respect and obey him. Polonius is "utterly unconcerned with Ophelia's needs, [and] manipulates both her mind and her body to gratify his love of power"(Dane 2). When Polonius became aware that Ophelia was involved with Hamlet, he told her to stop seeing him because he feared that Hamlet "did but triffle and meant to wrack thee" (2.1.123-126). This seemed to have a negative effect on Hamlet.
After the ghost of this father told him the true nature of his death, Hamlet appeared to be losing his sense and sanity. Polonius believed theat Hamlet's insanity was due to Ophelia's refusal of his love. He took her to the king and convinced Claudius to let him spy on Hamlet and find out what was causing Hamlets unusual behavio. Claudius agreed and decided to go with Polonious when he spied on Hamlet. Polonius then used his power over Ophelia to gain access into the situation between the former lovers. When Polonius and Claudius found Ophelia in a position where she would be encountered by Hamlet, Polonius told her "Ophelia, walk you here.
