In Shakespeare's Hamlet the Polonius family subplot plays a vital role in the development of the story and of the other characters in the play, especially of Hamlet and Claudius. Some argue that the Polonius family deaths are the true tragedy of the play due to the innocent deaths of Polonius, Ophelia and, Laertes. Others claim that Hamlet has good reason to scorn Polonius because of Polonius' deceptive nature. Whatever position one may take on this argument, it is clear that this subplot contributes much to the play.

The first character to die in Hamlet is Polonius. Polonius is the chief counselor to the king and queen and is always involved in royal affairs. Bernice W. Kliman suggests that Hamlet has every right to hold contempt for Polonius because of Polonius' "easy shift in loyalty [from Hamlet, Sr. to Claudius]" (Three Notes). However, the reason Polonius is deceitful...