Lines 111-119

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Original

No! I am not Prince Hamlet, nor was meant to be; 
Am an attendant lord, one that will do 
To swell a progress, start a scene or two 
Advise the prince; no doubt, an easy tool, 
Deferential, glad to be of use, 
Politic, cautious, and meticulous; 
Full of high sentence, but a bit obtuse; 
At times, indeed, almost ridiculous— 
Almost, at times, the Fool. 

Interpretation

Despite Prufrock's resemblance to Prince Hamlet, through his procrastination and over-analysis, Prufrock denies and similarities between the two characters. Instead, Prufrock seems to relate himself to Polonius, a character within Hamlet. He discusses Polonius' role in the play of Hamlet and the similarities between their characteristics. He reveals to the reader that at times he may seem "ridiculous" or a "fool". Is this the result of considering asking the "question"? Or is it his inability to present such a "question" to his lover?