Act 1 Scene 3 Flashcards
Plot summary
Laertes and his sister say bye
Tells her to be careful - Hamlet - he’s a prince
She says - none of business - and practice what you preach
BUT SAYS DONT WORRY
Polonium saus bye and gives Laertes advice on finance friendship and morals
When Laertes gone - he begins to question Ophelia on Hamlet and says too high status
After small argument - he says no relationship with hamlet and she says she’ll obey
Key themes in Act 1 scene 3
Father and sons
Women and sexuality
How is fathers and son shown in Act 1 scene 3
Polonius advice to son is typical of many parents
Difference shown later when he sends spy
How is women and sexuality shown in Act 1 scene 3
Ophelia honour ? My brother and father
Momentarily fights back but ultimately agrees she is above reproach where Hamlet concerned
Both men challenging and language appear they have authority over her
She makes point to Laertes he should practice what he preaches but not as confident as Shakespeares other women like Emilia in Othello
Form structure and language in Act 1 scene 3
Polonius’ language of commerce -
Free, bounteous, tenders - tells Ophelia (and audience) that her value is measured in what virginity and honour can provide
Context act 1 scene 3
Roles and expectations of women
Key quotes Act 1 scene 3
‘He himself is subject to his birth’
‘Chaste treasure open’
‘Thorny way to heaven’
‘Primrose path’
‘I do not know my Lord, what I should think’
‘My daughter’
‘Your honour’
‘Give me up the truth’
Tender
Explain ‘his will is not his own;/ For he himself is subject to his birth’
Warning to Ophelia but political reality- monarchs are required to prove an heir
Chaste treasure open
Reliance on Ophelia virginity and honour being unquestionable.
Ophelia is not safe from gossip
Laertes is bscly telling Ophelia what to do and sees her as naive and foolish
‘Thorny way to heaven’
‘Primrose path’
-Ophelia
Don’t give me advice and refuse to follow
Is she suggesting it’s not necessarily leading him away from heaven ‘primrose’ path
I do not know my Lord what I should think
Submissive
‘I must tell you’
‘My daughter’
‘Your honour’
‘Give me the truth’
Polonius language of commerce and transaction to describe Ophelias spending time w Hamlet
The second half is intrusive ‘I must tell you’ - as a father but also conscious of reputation
‘My daughter and your honour’ shows whose reputation he values more highly.
‘Give me up the truth’ almost insulting in its assumption she would not
‘Tender’
Ophelia introduced tender. Hamlet has made ‘tenders’ to me - affection
Polonius play on words links it with Sterling- raiding the point of marriage as a financial transaction rather than love and accusing her of selling herself cheaply
He finally uses the word to suggest she’s a phone but also reminds of the phrase ‘tender-witted’ meaning foolish or naive
Polonius to Ophelia
'Blood burns' 'Giving more light than heart' 'Larger tether May he walk' 'Do not believe his vows' 'Breathing like sanctified and pious Bawds'
Sympathy in polonius
All young men ‘burn’ when attracted to women but his daughters well being is most important
‘More light then heat’ - emptiness of hamlets words
‘Tether’ - Hamlet has more freedom then he’d but is still tethered
‘Do not believe his vows’ - typical youth - will turn back
Like sanctified and pious bawds - falls Hamlet - lying- reference to prostitutes risks insulting Ophelia
She replies ‘my lord’ - in agreement or dk what to say
Typical expectations of Elizabethan ladies
Pure
Submissive
Fertile
Domestic
Obedient
Courteous
Modest
