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If you are asking what he means, then he is referring to Polonius "fishing" for information about Laertes and Hamlet.


Answer:

Some writers relate Hamlet's reference to Poloneus as a fishmonger to another reference to Ophelia as a fishmonger's daughter. In the slang of the time, fishmonger's often were pimps for their daughters. Polonius used his daughter to get in with the King and the nobility - perhaps Hamlet was referring to this. In other parts of the play Hamlet was trying to shed Ophelia as a companion and insulted her. This reference and allusion could simply be a carryover from those insults.

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What are some of the slang expressions and puns hamlet used in his first exchange with Polonius?

Hamlet has his first run-in with Polonius in Act 2 Scene 2. He calls Polonius a fishmonger, a seller of fish, which is slang for a pimp. When Polonius asks, "What is the matter?", meaning "What is the book about?" Hamlet intentionally misunderstands him as meaning "What is the problem?" in the sense of an issue between two people, and says "Between who?"


Who does Polonius plan to tell of Hamlet's behavior and his suspected cause?

Polonius plans to tell Claudius. Polonius believes that it is love that is driving Hamlet insane.


Why did Hamlet kill Polonious?

hamlet killed polonius by accident. polonius was hiding behind the arrays in gertrudes room and hamlet thought it was claudius so he stabbed him with his sword only to find that it wasnt cladius, but polonius.


What or who stops Hamlet from doing violence to getrude when he forgets his fathers commandment?

Polonius, after Gertrude cries out in her closet (private chamber), calls "What, ho! Help!" and Hamlet hears it, thus turning his attention to the spy. Polonius loses his life for it.


What does Gertrude tell Claudius after Hamlet has killed Polonius?

Claudius does not ask Hamlet what he has done with Polonius, although Rosencrantz and Guildenstern do. He asks Hamlet where Polonius is. His lines are "Now, Hamlet, where's Polonius?" and "Where is Polonius?". Hamlet answers, first that Polonius is at supper (not where he eats but where he is eaten) and second that Polonius is in heaven (where Claudius cannot go to find him). Then he adds, "But if indeed you find him not within this month you shall nose him as you go up the stairs into the lobby."

Related Questions

What are some of the slang expressions and puns hamlet used in his first exchange with Polonius?

Hamlet has his first run-in with Polonius in Act 2 Scene 2. He calls Polonius a fishmonger, a seller of fish, which is slang for a pimp. When Polonius asks, "What is the matter?", meaning "What is the book about?" Hamlet intentionally misunderstands him as meaning "What is the problem?" in the sense of an issue between two people, and says "Between who?"


Who does Polonius plan to tell of Hamlet's behavior and his suspected cause?

Polonius plans to tell Claudius. Polonius believes that it is love that is driving Hamlet insane.


Who does hamlet kill in the queens closet?

Polonius


Why did Hamlet kill Polonious?

hamlet killed polonius by accident. polonius was hiding behind the arrays in gertrudes room and hamlet thought it was claudius so he stabbed him with his sword only to find that it wasnt cladius, but polonius.


What or who stops Hamlet from doing violence to getrude when he forgets his fathers commandment?

Polonius, after Gertrude cries out in her closet (private chamber), calls "What, ho! Help!" and Hamlet hears it, thus turning his attention to the spy. Polonius loses his life for it.


Who is polonius in Hamlet?

Polonius is the chief counselor to the king, and also the father of Ophelia and Laertes.


What does Gertrude tell Claudius after Hamlet has killed Polonius?

Claudius does not ask Hamlet what he has done with Polonius, although Rosencrantz and Guildenstern do. He asks Hamlet where Polonius is. His lines are "Now, Hamlet, where's Polonius?" and "Where is Polonius?". Hamlet answers, first that Polonius is at supper (not where he eats but where he is eaten) and second that Polonius is in heaven (where Claudius cannot go to find him). Then he adds, "But if indeed you find him not within this month you shall nose him as you go up the stairs into the lobby."


What explanations does Gertrude offer for Polonius murder?

Hamlet was crazy. She follows Hamlet's instructions and says that "Hamlet hath in madness Polonius slain."


Who does hamlet stab through the curtain?

Hamlet mistakenly stabs Polonius through the curtain. He heard a noise, and, thinking it might be Claudius, immediately stabbed through the curtain.


Who is the Daughter of Polonius in Hamlet?

Ophelia is the daughter of Polonius. She is also the sister to Laertes and potential wife of Prince Hamlet.


What are the consequences of hamlet bkilling polonius?

The consequences of Hamlet killing Polonius is that he planted the seeds of discord between the supporters.


What does polonius tell claduis and Gertrude?

Polonius tells Claudius and Gertrude that Ophelia and Hamlet have had a relationship which Polonius had Ophelia break off, and that this might be the cause of Hamlet's wild behaviour.