Essay On Tenders In Hamlet

In modern times, the word “tender” is quite rare. The most common use of the word is the one printed on the dollar bill, which states, “This note is legal tender for all debts, public and private.” The word will also be used to describe something such as food. For example, “crisp outside, yet with a tender center.” The final popular usage today is in describing an emotion, or a loving way of treating someone rather, often heard on oldies radio stations. Shakespeare repeats the word “tender” throughout the play Hamlet to emphasize the multiple meanings of the word used by Ophelia, Polonius and Hamlet. He repeats the word several times to emphasize that it can be used differently, but ultimately have the same general meaning.
The word is first used by Ophelia, describing her vague relationship with Hamlet, where she says, “He hath, my lord, of late made many tenders
Tender yourself more dearly, / Or (not to crack the wind of the poor phrase, / Running it thus) you’ll tender me a fool.”
In other context, it means “to treat with affectionate care… to take care of, look after” (OED). In other words, he wants Ophelia to take better care of herself, and not let the false promises of the prince coerce and mislead her, as Polonius and his son Laertes are not very fond of Hamlet. These uses of the word leave the reader thinking, and may even lead one to believe that Polonius does actually care for his daughter, as the word “tender” has the connotation of love or attachment connected to it. While his long speeches may be motivated for his passion to hear himself speak, whether intentional or not his words of advice are not