Question

What do Claudius and Polonius have in common?

1) They are both characters in a play
2) They are both related to the main protagonist
3) They are both advisors to the king
4) They are both enemies of the main protagonist

Answer 1

Claudius and Polonius from Shakespeare's 'Hamlet' share a connection to the protagonist, with Claudius being Hamlet's uncle and Polonius being an advisor in the court. 4) They are both enemies of Hamlet; Claudius, as the primary antagonist, and Polonius through his meddling actions.

Step-by-step explanation:

Claudius and Polonius are both characters in William Shakespeare's play Hamlet. They share a connection with the main protagonist, Hamlet, but in different ways.

Claudius is Hamlet's uncle and stepfather, making him directly related to Hamlet. Hence, relation to the protagonist is one thing they have in common but in varying degrees.

However, the most accurate commonality between Claudius and Polonius is that 4) they are both enemies of the main protagonist.

Claudius is an antagonist to Hamlet as he is the usurper of Hamlet's father's throne and is responsible for the former king's death.

Polonius, on the other hand, while not directly opposing Hamlet in the way Claudius does, becomes an enemy through his scheming and spying.

Although portraying different roles—Claudius as a king and Polonius as a counselor—their actions align them against Hamlet throughout the play.