Polonius

Polonius is a character in William Shakespeare's play Hamlet. He is the chief counsellor to the play's ultimate villain, Claudius, and the father of Laertes and Ophelia. Polonius is a well-intentioned but foolish man who is constantly meddling in the affairs of others. He is often wrong in his judgments, and his actions often have unintended consequences. In Act II, Hamlet refers to Polonius as a "tedious old fool" and taunts him as a latter day "Jephtha". Polonius connives with Claudius to spy on Hamlet, but his plan backfires when Hamlet kills him in a fit of rage. Polonius' death is a catalyst for the events that follow, including Ophelia's descent into madness and her eventual suicide. The duel between Laertes and Hamlet is also a direct result of Polonius' actions.