Hamlet

Act 2, Sc. 2, lines 115-128: What does it reveal about Polonius that he reads Ophelia's letter from Hamlet aloud?

Polonius. [Reads] To the celestial and my soul's idol, the most beautified

Ophelia - That's an ill phrase, a vile phrase, 'beautified' is a

vile phrase. But you shall hear thus: in her excellent bosom, these, etc.

............ Doubt that the stars are fire,

Doubt that the sun doth move,

Doubt truth to be a liar,

But never doubt I love.

Oh dear Ophelia, I am ill at these numbers. I have not art to

reckon my groans. But that I love thee best, oh, most best,

believe it. Adieu. Thine evermore, most dear lady, whilst this

machine is to him, Hamlet.

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This reveals that Polonius has no sense of privacy or respect for his daughter Ophelia. He uses her traumatic experience to support his own misguided interpretation of Hamlet's strange behavior.