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Paweł Działyński

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A stained glass representation of Polonius from Shakespeare's Hamlet
Elizabeth I, c. 1600
Sigismund III

Paweł Działyński (Latin: Paulus Dzialinski; born 1560 – died 1609) of Ogończyk coat of arms, was a Polish courtier, royal secretary, ambassador and governor of Bobrowniki and Radziejów.[1]

Inspiration

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It is possible that the character Polonius from Shakespeare's Hamlet was inspired by Działyński.

The Haags Historisch Museum (Historical Museum of The Hague) in The Netherlands exhibits an anonymous painting, depicting Działyński as head of a Polish envoy delegation to the Dutch Republic in July 1597.

References

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  1. ^ Shiff, Abraham. "TRANSITION FROM CORAMBIS TO POLONIUS: The Forgotten Pun on a Diplomatic Scandal in a Hamlet Q2 Stage Direction" (PDF).