Who knew Polonius was so wise? (But I bet he’s nosy, too.) And actually, of course, it would be Shakespeare who was the wise one, seeing how Polonius was a creation of his mind, in his play, Hamlet.
Polonius gave some grand advice to his son Laertes. Really grand.
- Those friends thou hast, and their adoption tried, Grapple them unto thy soul with hoops of steel, but do not dull thy palm with entertainment of each new-hatched, unfledged courage.
- Give every man thy ear, but few thy voice; Take each man’s censure, but reserve thy judgment.
- Neither a borrower nor a lender be, For loan oft loses both itself and friend, and borrowing dulls th’ edge of husbandry.
And did you know it was Polonius who said “to thine own self be true?”
In addition, I guess it shouldn’t shock any of us that even way, way, way back then there were people who couldn’t seem to live within their means: “Costly thy habit as thy purse can buy…”
Go to!
Can anyone enlighten me as to what this little phrase — go to — really means?
When Polonius is speaking to Ophelia, commanding that she make herself less available to Lord Hamlet, she answers him:
“My lord, he hath importuned me with love In honorable fashion.”
Polonius seems about ready to blow a gasket over Ophelia’s lack of understanding concerning Hamlet’s advances, and he says:
“Ay, fashion you may call it. Go to, go to.”
In Genesis 11:3 we noticed that “they said one to another, Go to, let us make brick…” when they were planning the tower of Babel.
I am wondering exactly what “go to” means. It’s obviously not a phrase we use now. Joseph felt like it means just to go about your business. It makes me think of the phrase used today, “hold up,” as in when you want someone to stop and think about something. Go to, makes me think “let your mind go to this” or “think about this.” Joseph is probably right.
Anyway, just one of the joys of reading Shakespeare. Great word debates.
On a frugal, musical note, Princess of the Universe and I are continuing to work on piano lesson here at home with our keyboard and some really good books I found at the thrift store. I wish I had time to work with her daily, but alas that has not worked out for us so far. I keep thinking I should make it a higher priority, but there are a dozen other things that I feel that way about and they all take turns occupying the front of my mind.
I wonder what Shakespeare would say?
Lynn
for you to leave a comment, but you can also e-mail me at lynn AT thehealthyhomeschool.com
Dear Lynn,
How nice to be studying Hamlet-Shakespeare is the person that everyone quotes by saying, “Someone once said…”, isn’t he?
As far as what “go to” means, I think you’re probably right. We should start saying it and really confuse people!
We aren’t real organized at our piano-playing either. I have lots of plans, though! And for violin, too, for that matter!
Have a blessed day,
Marqueta
What is the picture above the keyboard of? I can’t figure it out.
What a lovely day of learning your family has had!
Hi Lynn,
“Ay, fashion you may call it; go to go to”
I believe you are both right in that Polonius is trying to protect his daughter from Hamlet. He implies that Hamlet is worldly in the ways of love and that she is not. He tells her she is too young and inexperienced to be able to assess whether Hamlet truly loves her or is simply using romance to allure her. “Go to go to” is a way of dismissing her with a warning to stop and think. That everything is not always as it seems. Leave this subject and go about your business, go about your duties. (Duties:To listen to and obey her father.)
The other quote I like is also said by Polonius,”Though this is madness there is method in it.”
Timeless! And a real good description of the millions of activities in each day of my life.:)
You may want to take a look at Shakespeare Navigators at clicknotes.com it is a great sight for help with Shakespear’s syntax.
I think that the best way I have ever heard Shakespeare’s genius described is that he was a Champion Linquistic Athlete! Very Cool desription!
I felt empathy when you described your frenzed disposition. I get like that too sometimes. My thirty something daughter’s call it “Mom’s Creative Crash”! I find as you did that a short change of environment can sooth the mind and the soul.
Have a great day,
Diane
PS. I loved your thrift store finds. There is something special about old tunes!
Marqueta, my public school son plays the viola, and I love to hear their little orchestra play. It is so inspiring to see them. Michaela is making slow-but-steady progress.
Thanks, Chris!
Diane, thank you for all of your help with this! I guess Joseph and I were both a bit right about what “go to” means then. I have a creative crash from time to time too. I really did not want to have to go do all that stuff yesterday, but some stuff just HAS to be done. I’ll be checking out that site today.
Lynn