Jephtha is an allusion to the book of Judges in the Old
Testament. Jephtha was a military leader, and in one particular battle, he vowed that
if he were successful, he would sacrifice to god the first person who greeted him at his
return home. The person who greeted him just happened to be his daughter, but the
distraught Jephtha kept his word. When Hamlet calls Polonius Jephtha, he is implying
that Polonius is using his daughter to advance his own career. And, indeed, Polonius is
using his daughter Ophelia. He shares the love letters she received from Hamlet with
Claudius, and plots to use Ophelia to uncover the nature of Hamlet's madness--all to
curry favor with the king.
Hamlet also calls Polonius a
"fishmonger." Although the second meaning of this term is disputed among critics, many
believe that "fishmonger" was another word for pimp. Again, Hamlet is implying that
Polonius is using his daughter selfishly.
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