Final answer:
Polonius's musings about sugar-coating the devil are significant as they highlight themes linked to deception and the conflict between appearance and reality in Shakespeare's works, especially in 'Hamlet' and 'Macbeth'.
Step-by-step explanation:
Polonius's musings on people who sugar o'er the devil have significant relevance to the themes of appearance versus reality and deception in Shakespeare's works. As Polonius discusses the tendency of some individuals to sweeten or disguise evil with a veneer of goodness, we can relate this to characters in Shakespearean plays like Hamlet or Macbeth, where characters often adorn their true intentions with false fronts. For instance, in Macbeth, the character Macbeth himself is confronted with the paradox of the devil speaking truths when he becomes Thane of Cawdor, a title prophesied by witches yet actualized in reality. Similarly, in Hamlet, the ghost of King Hamlet raises questions about the trustworthiness of supernatural appearances and whether they speak truth or lead one to ruin.
Moreover, the concept of sweetening over the devil could allude to actions where characters mask their corrupt and immoral deeds with a façade of legitimacy or virtue, a frequent motif in Shakespeare's exploration of human nature and society. Such actions not only contribute to the dramatic irony and conflict within the plays but also offer commentary on Elizabethan concerns about morality, politics, and the human soul.