Welcome to Quoteland lisamichelle. You specifially asked for help with the context of the quote in question. These copy and paste exerpts from some essays should shed some light on the quote in question.
http://forum.quoteland.com/eve/forums?a=tpc&s=586192041&f=099191541&m=6131943132&r=6461933132#6461933132Claudius often requires assistance in gathering information about Hamlet’s well being. Subsequently, the man responsible for Claudius’ knowledge about Hamlet is Polonius. The royal adviser to the king devotes his time and loyalty towards serving King Claudius and Queen Gertrude. All throughout the play, Polonius disguises himself “as of a man faithful and honorable” (Act II, Sc.2, 130). When in reality, he is similar to that of the chameleon previously mentioned. The appearance of Polonius is deceiving, he is capable of defensively camouflaging his outside appearance as a trustworthy right-hand man of the king; but in actuality, behind the fabricated mask he is sly and conniving.
“And borrowing dulleth edge of husbandry.
This above all, to thine own self be true,
And it must follow, as the night the day,
Thou canst not then be false to any man”
(Act I, Sc. 3, 77-80).
For instance, in Act II, Sc.1, Polonius sent spies to Paris to watch over his son, Laertes. Polonius eluded that the spies were sent to Paris to make sure his son was behaving appropriately,
“inquire me first what Danskers are in Paris,
And how, and who, what means, and where they keep,
What company, at what expense; and finding
By this encompassment and drift of question
That they do know my son, come you more nearer
Than your particular demands will touch it”
(Act. II, Sc.1, 7-12). In reality, Polonius’ acts seem less noble because it appears that he is always spying and prying about other peoples business.
Moreover, throughout the play, both Claudius and Polonius choose to lie, cheat and deceive their fellow acquaintances in order to fulfill their mission. For example, in order to determine the reason for Hamlet’s madness, Claudius and Polonius spy and eavesdrop on the conversation between Hamlet and Ophelia. Just as the king concealed his true evil identity, Polonius as well disguises his true self. Polonius wears the mask of falsehood as a defensive mechanism in discovering the cause of Hamlet’s wild behavior. He is able to manipulate his own daughter in achieving his objective. Like a thief robbing in the middle of the night, Polonius is quiet in his attempts in lurking behind the curtains for the undeniable truth.
http://www.essaydepot.com/essayme/1169/Check out
http://www.clas.ufl.edu/boards/owl/main/messages/265.htmlPolonius, the King’s royal assistant, has a preoccupation with appearance. He always wants to keep up the appearance of loving and caring person. Polonius appears like a man who loves and cares about his son, Laertes. Before Laertes leaves to Paris, Polonius speaks to his son with advice that sounds sincere, but in reality is rehearsed, hollow, and without feeling. Polonius gives his advice only to appear to be the loving caring father. He tries to teach Polonius how to “seem,” and how to show himself publically. The reality is he only speaks to appear sincere as a politician, to look good rather then actually be good:
"And borrowing dulls the edge of husbandry.
This above all: to thine own self be true,
And it must follow, as the night the day,
Thou canst not then be false to any man.
Farewell; my blessing season this in thee!"
(Act 1, Scene 3 lines 77 - 81)Climaxing his rather long speech, this change of tone can only be taken ironically. As Polonius gives his son Laertes his blessing to go away, he sends Reynaldo, a spy to follow him and keep an eye on him. This shows his lack of trust for anyone. He gives the appearance of a confident father who trusts his son to go off on his own.
~ from an essay at
http://www.antiessays.com/show.php?cat=shakespeare&eid=1663
