Polonius — Hamlet Character Profile

About Polonius

Ophelia's father and a court advisor who grows suspicious of Hamlet's feigned madness. He is accidentally stabbed and killed by Hamlet, which triggers Ophelia's descent into madness and Laertes' quest for revenge.

Character Facts

Played by

James Cairncross

Appears in

Hamlet (1970)

Role

Supporting

Relationships (3)

• Polonius — Family Father — Ophelia (Susan Fleetwood)

  Polonius is Ophelia's father and a court advisor.

• Polonius — Family Father — Laertes / First Player (Tim Pigott-Smith)

  Polonius is Laertes' father.

• Polonius — Conflict Killer — Hamlet (Ian McKellen)

  Hamlet accidentally murders Polonius.

Explore the full interactive character relationship map of Hamlet

More characters from Hamlet

• Hamlet (Ian McKellen)
• Gertrude (Faith Brook)
• Claudius (John Woodvine)
• Laertes / First Player (Tim Pigott-Smith)
• Ophelia (Susan Fleetwood)
• Horatio (Julian Curry)
• Guildenstern (Simon Prebble)
• Rosencrantz (Terence Wilton)