The Tragic Flaw of Polonius In Hamlet we see diverse characters who can be seen as having tragic flaws. Polonius, the loyal advisor to the king has a tragic flaw. This is his loyalty to the state and more specifically the king. Polonius’s characteristic of loyalty warrants a flaw given that it leads to his tragic death. In using Aristotles interpretation of a tragedy, Polonius’s loyalty is also tragic. The audience worries that …showed first 75 words of 585 total…

…showed last 75 words of 585 total…the call which ultimately leads to his demise. Polonius appears to have a strong desire to appear in good standing by the state and king. Why did Shakespeare implement this characteristic? Polonius represents slyness and corruption. He controls his children for his benefit and spies on his daughter and the queen. By implementing these characteristics Shakespeare reinforces the malignity of the state. Polonius has to be expelled in order for the state to be cleansed. 2