This essay is a comparison between Jephthah (Judges 11:30-39) and Polonius and how they used their virgin daughters as political pawns.

When comparing the actions of Jephthah and Polonius, it is apparent that both fathers used obedient daughters to further their positions without regards to the needs, wants or safety of the daughters they supposedly loved. In making vows or promises, they allowed their determination to succeed for political gain to blur their judgment. In the end, the decision that each made would end up hurting their virgin daughters in a way that would bring on …

…them on what seems to be a walkway. During this, Hamlet is holding something to his right ear, maybe so he can hear the conversation between the three better. The way the scene is played out is strictly to the interpretations by the director and how he perceived the play. The references to fishmonger and Jephthah are the only indications in the text that would suggest the knowledge of Hamlet about the plot of Polonius.