As a character, Hamlet is almost overwhelming because of his strange behavior, especially toward women, the fake or possibly real madness, and his melancholy. Many spectators barely notice the other characters. Let's have a closer look at Polonius and his family. What do they represent in the play from a social point of view? Why do their plans go so horribly wrong, when they conform to all the rules and want to help? How does their social status and conformism become evident in the way they speak, behave, or react? Use specific examples and dialogue from the play to support your answers.