The Value of Honesty and Integrity

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The Value of Honesty and Integrity “Real integrity is doing the right thing, knowing that nobody's going to know whether you did it or not.” This quotation, by Oprah Winfrey, expresses how integrity is based off of one’s morality and willingness to do the right thing. Honesty is about what is spoken while integrity on the other hand is being honest in ones actions. Being honest and having integrity usually results in positive outcomes, and for those who do not share these qualities, there can be several consequences. In the play Hamlet, by William Shakespeare, it is effectively demonstrated through the use of the element of character that lack of honesty and integrity can ultimately lead to ones demise. Throughout the play, lack of honesty and integrity is demonstrated by the characters of Polonius, and Rosencrantz and Guildenstern. Polonius is a character who is of higher class in the state of Denmark, and is also very close with King Claudius, being his chief counsellor. Although he may seem like an ordinary man of power, it is further revealed by his actions that Polonius is neither honest nor does he have any integrity and these actions are what lead him to having a horrible death. The first evidence of Polonius’ dishonest behaviour is when he is speaking with Reynaldo on how to spy on his son Laertes who has recently left to Paris. He says, “Before you visit him, to make inquiry of his behavior.” (Act 2, Sc I, Ln 3-5) This quote shows that Polonius cannot mind his own business, and is very interested in spying on people including his own son, showing that he is a man that lacks honesty, integrity, and even trust. This is also hypocritical to what Polonius last told Laertes which was, “This above all: to thine own self be true, and it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be

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