Where is polonius body

Scene Questions for Review 1. Hamlet does an excellent job of confusing Rosencrantz and Guildenstern -- and critics -- with his paradox line It could mean: Claudius is in the vicinity of the body of Polonius, but the King Hamlet's father is not with his own body.

More likely it means: Claudius is in the vicinity of the body of Polonius, but Claudius is not with the body i. Earlier in the play Laertes says that when Hamlet becomes king he will certainly be on the side on the people, and his choices will "be circumscrib'd unto the voice and yielding of that body whereof he is the head" 1.

There are many interpretations of this line. King Claudius ends the scene a troubled man; "My soul is full of discord [disagreement] and dismay" Line Hamlet refuses to tell Rosencrantz and Guildenstern where Polonius' dead body is hidden. He calls Rosencrantz and Guildenstern lapdogs, revealing his true awareness that they are not his friends. Hamlet agrees to see King Claudius. Hamlet starts the scene by saying the words, "Safely stowed" by which he means he has just finished stowing away Polonius' dead body Line 1.

Hearing noise, Hamlet notices the two courtiers Rosencrantz and Guildenstern approaching Line 4. Rosencrantz and Guildenstern enter, asking Hamlet where Polonius' body is and what he has done with it Line 5.

Hamlet replies that he has "Compounded it with dust, whereto 'tis kin" by which he means he has buried it and placed it where he believes it belongs Line 6. Rosencrantz asks again where Polonius' body is so that they can take it to the chapel but Hamlet again refuses He also makes it very clear now just how little he trusts them, when he says they should not believe "That I can keep your counsel and not mine own" that I can follow your advise and not my own instead , Line Hamlet then calls Rosencrantz and Guildenstern sponges which he says, "soaks up the king's countenance, his rewards, his authorities" by which he means he considers them to be the King Claudius' lapdogs Line Having called Rosencrantz and Guildenstern lapdogs, Hamlet now tells them that they will ultimately merely be used by King Claudius like sponges Lines Rosencrantz now again asks where Polonius' body is, but Hamlet refuses to budge; he will however go with the two courtiers to see King Claudius instead Lines Hamlet continues to refuse to tell Rosencrantz and Guildenstern where Polonius' body is.

Hamlet is brought before King Claudius. The two exchange words, clearly circling each other, each aware that the other is a threat. Hamlet tells King Claudius where Polonius body is. King Claudius ominously tells Hamlet to leave for England "for thine especial safety King Claudius opens this scene voicing his fears of Hamlet. He discusses how he has sent his two courtiers, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to seek the whereabouts of Polonius' body and he also explains "How dangerous is it [it is] that this man [Hamlet] goes loose [is free]!

King Claudius however, has a problem. Instead King Claudius decides again that sending Hamlet overseas would be the wisest, safest course of action Lines Rosencrantz now enters and tells King Claudius that they still have not found Polonius' body.

Hamlet defiantly replies "At supper" Line 18 which Hamlet later explains is "Not where he [Polonius] eats, but where he is eaten:" a reference to Polonius having been buried.

Hamlet continues this theme of worms, confusing King Claudius Lines and when the King again asks Hamlet where Polonius' body is, Hamlet replies "In heaven;" cheekily asking him to send his messengers Rosencrantz and Guildenstern there to check this Line Hamlet now finally lets on where Polonius really is by saying "if you find him not [if you do not find him] within this month [within a month], you shall nose him [smell his rotting body] as you go up the stairs into the lobby" Line King Claudius immediately dispatches "Attendants" to check this, and now King Claudius tells Hamlet that "for thine especial safety," for your special safety , Line 43 , he must be sent away to England "With fiery quickness:" very quickly , Line Hamlet enthusiastically replies "For England!

With Hamlet gone, King Claudius tells Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to make sure Hamlet boards the bark boat tonight since a great deal counts on him being on that bark, King Claudius explains Lines Rosencrantz and Guildenstern now leave and King Claudius makes it very clear what awaits Hamlet in England Hamlet will be killed there allowing King Claudius to breath easy again Lines Young Fortinbras marches his army across Denmark to fight the Polish. Hamlet laments that he does not have in him the strength of Young Fortinbras, who will lead an army into pointless fighting, if only to maintain honor.

Hamlet asks himself how he cannot fight for honor when his father has been killed and his mother made a whore in his eyes by becoming King Claudius' wife.

They quickly learn that the forces the Captain commands are Norwegian and are being sent to fight the Polish. They also learn from the Captain that these forces are led by Young Fortinbras, nephew to the King of Norway just like Young Hamlet is nephew to King Claudius; dualism of fate? The Captain even explains that he would not even farm the land he will soon fight for Lines Hamlet replies that the Poles will not fight for it but the Captain assures him that a garrison already protects this worthless land Line The king of England owes him a favor, and he's calling it in by asking the death of Hamlet.

Critics puzzle endlessly over the reason for Hamlet's cat and mouse game with Rosencrantz, Guildenstern, and Claudius over the whereabouts of Polonius' body. Hamlet's apparent madness is both amusing and disturbing. Hamlet is cruel and heartless. He seems to enjoy meting out his measure of torture.

His perverse and cruel behavior wholly departs from the heroic figure Hamlet should be. In fact, Hamlet displays characteristics far from heroism in this scene. He exhibits, yet again, a fascination with and terror of death. Unready to face death himself, he imprisons himself more deeply in words and avoids having to kill Claudius. Having murdered Polonius, he has at least been active and need not push himself.

Hamlet seems confused, terrified, conflicted; he is coming undone. The courtiers assemble to learn of Polonius' death, and Claudius maps out the consequences for Hamlet's actions. Hamlet expounds on his worm's meat motif, a repetition of language that Shakespeare uses several times in the play, and that apparently preoccupies Hamlet's mind. The images are gross, troubling, and rife with Hamlet's biting satirical wit.

In his rant about the physical realities of death, Hamlet explains is that the fact that all men feed the earth and are, therefore, worm's meat is the great equalizer. The King inquires after Polonius' whereabouts, and Hamlet answers that Polonius is at supper — not supping but rather being supped upon: " Your worm is your only emperor for diet. We fat all creatures else to fat us, and we fat ourselves for maggots. Your fat King and your lean beggar is but variable service — two dishes but to one table.