Answer:
Quotes like "Alas, poor Yorick!" and "The undiscover'd country from whose bourn no traveler returns" reveal the true nature of individuals and their motivations.
Step-by-step explanation:
In William Shakespeare's play "Hamlet," several quotes effectively convey the revealing nature of death and simultaneously serve as allusions to Polonius.
These quotes highlight the impact of death in exposing the true nature of individuals and their motivations.
"Alas, poor Yorick! I knew him, Horatio: a fellow of infinite jest, of most excellent fancy." (Hamlet, Act 5, Scene 1)
In this poignant line, Hamlet holds the skull of Yorick, a jester who had entertained him during his childhood.
The realization that this once vibrant and humorous man is now reduced to a lifeless skull underscores the inevitability and transformative power of death. It strips away the superficial and reveals the underlying reality of our existence.
The allusion to Polonius, Hamlet's former advisor, is evident in this quote. Polonius, like Yorick, was a man of many faces, known for his political astuteness and shrewdness.
His death, similarly, exposes the hollowness of his character, revealing a man more concerned with power and self-preservation than with integrity and virtue.
"That skull had a tongue in it, and could sing once. How the knave jowls it to the ground, as if it were Cain's jawbone!" (Hamlet, Act 5, Scene 1)
Hamlet's contemplation of the skull continues, further emphasizing the leveling effect of death.
He observes how the skull, once attached to a living body, now lies discarded and insignificant.
The image of the skull as "Cain's jawbone" adds a layer of moral complexity, hinting at the universal consequences of our actions.
This quote also alludes to Polonius's death at the hands of Hamlet. Polonius, despite his high social standing and political influence, is ultimately reduced to the same fate as the jester and the skull.
His death serves as a stark reminder of the futility of earthly ambitions and the ephemeral nature of power.
"The undiscover'd country from whose bourn no traveler returns." (Hamlet, Act 3, Scene 1)
Hamlet's famous soliloquy on death delves into the uncertainty and mystery surrounding the afterlife.
He refers to death as "the undiscover'd country," a realm from which no one returns to reveal its secrets.
This quote highlights the profound impact of death on our understanding of life and our place in the universe.
The allusion to Polonius is implicit in this quote. Polonius's sudden and unexpected death serves as a tangible reminder of the fragility of life and the inevitability of our journey into the unknown.
His departure into the "undiscover'd country" underscores the ephemeral nature of human existence.
Thus, Hamlet's quotes about Yorick's skull, the leveling effect of death, and the mystery of the afterlife reveal the true nature of individuals and serve as allusions to Polonius.