Act 1, Scene 3

Question 1

Laertes: “Hold it a fashion and a…………

Answer 1

…………..toy in blood.” - Telling Ophelia that her relationship with Hamlet is only a whim of passion / sexual desire. Shakespeare uses an oxymoron / paradox to state that whilst their relationship may seem all fun and games, hence the word “toy”, it is covered in blood and will only end in tears - “blood” connotes images of death and danger. Fashion also implies a trend / a temporary stage / not a permanent fixture.

Question 2

Laertes: “A violet in the youth of……..

Answer 2

…………primary nature.” - suggests Ophelia is young / youthful / naive / innocent. A violet symbolises a delicate love / affection / modesty.

A delicate love in a youthful innocence.

Question 3

Laertes: “Forward, not permanent…………..

Answer 3

……………sweet, not lasting. The perfume and suppliance of a minute. No more.” - Their love is only temporary -like a perfume that whilst smelling sweet and fragrant to begin with, will wear off / not last.

Question 4

Laertes: “Perhaps he loves………..

Answer 4

…………you now.” - giving his sister Ophelia advice before he goes back to being a student.

Question 5

Laertes: “But you must fear………..

Answer 5

………….his will is not his own; For he himself is subject to his birth.” - As a Prince, Hamlet has to do what his duty commands him to. He’ll have to marry a Princess, and as Ophelia is not one, the relationship will not be allowed to last.

Question 6

Laertes: “He may not carve for himself…………

Answer 6

…………..for on his choice depends The safety and health of this whole state.” - As a Prince, Hamlet has to do what his duty commands him to. He’ll have to marry a Princess, and as Ophelia is not one, the relationship will not be allowed to last.

Question 7

Laertes: “If he says he loves you………….

Answer 7

……………..it fits your wisdom so far to believe it. He may give his saying deed; Which is no further than the main voice of Denmark.” - Hamlet is of a higher class so him and Ophelia would never be allowed to marry. Laertes implies that Ophelia gives more weight to his opinion as he is a Prince, but she shouldn’t - she shouldn’t be swayed so much by his opinion just because he is a Prince.

Question 8

Laertes: “Or lose your heart………….

Answer 8

…………..or your chaste treasure open.” - do not allow him to seduce you and keep your legs closed.

Question 9

Laertes: “Fear it, Ophelia…………

Answer 9

……………..fear it, my dear sister, And keep you in the rear of your affection. Out of the shot of danger and desire.” - telling Ophelia to be aware of Hamlet and keep her virginity as that’s her value that needs to be sold in marriage.

Question 10

Laertes: “The chariest maid is………

Answer 10

………….prodigal enough, If she unmask her beauty to the moon.” - Even if you are the chariest, most cautious maid, if something bad happens it will be because of you so keep yourself reserved. Do not lose your virginity / unmask yourself to Hamlet.

Question 11

Ophelia: “Do not, as some ungracious pastors do………….

Answer 11

…………..Show me the steep and thorny way to Heaven.” - Ophelia tells Laertes not to tell her how to get to Heaven and then do differently himself. “Steep and thorny way to Heaven” suggests she shouldn’t have to live in such a difficult way to get to Heaven, which is to remain pure and innocent, when Laertes doesn’t listen to his own advice himself.

Question 12

Ophelia: “Himself the primrose path of……….

Answer 12

………….dalliance treads, And recks not his own rede.” - Ophelia tells Laertes to take his own advice and look after himself too. “Primrose path” means fun and sexual desires.

Question 13

Polonius: “Give every man thy ear……..

Answer 13

…………but few thy voice.” - Here Polonius is giving Laertes advice before he moves to France as a student. The advice is to listen to everyone but don’t always share your opinion with everyone. Ironic as Polonius never stops talking.

Question 14

Polonius: “Give thy thoughts no……….

Answer 14

…………tongue.” -Polonius telling Laertes to think before he speaks. giving him advice before he moves to France as a student.

Question 15

Polonius: “Neither a borrower……….

Answer 15

………….nor lender be.” - Polonius telling Laertes to not borrow or steal off people. Here Polonius comes across as quite a caring character giving advice to his son. He speaks in a friendly and encouraging tone.

Question 16

Ophelia: “ ‘Tis in my memory lock’d………….

Answer 16

……………And you shall keep the key of it.” - Ophelia is telling Laertes that she will remember the advice he has given her whilst he is away. She tells him it is locked away in her memory, and he will be the only one able to access it - sarcastic? she doesn’t really want to take his advice.

Question 17

Polonius: “What is’t Ophelia…………

Answer 17

………….he hath said to you?”

Ophelia: “So please you, something touching the Lord Hamlet.”

Question 18

Polonius: “ ‘Tis told me, he hath oft of late Given private time to you………….

Answer 18

……………and you yourself Have been most free and bounteous.” - Here Polonius is instructing Ophelia on what to do. He tells her that he has been told her and Hamlet have been meeting in secret.

Question 19

Polonius: “It behoves my daughter and your………..

Answer 19

……………honour. What is between you? give me up the truth.” - Polonius has been spying on her and Hamlet and believes it is his right to know what his daughter has been up to. He suggests that if she doesn’t tell him, not only will his reputation be ruined alongside hers, but also her virginity will be lost which needs to be sold in marriage.

Question 20

Ophelia: “He hath, my lord, of late made many tenders of……….

Answer 20

…………his affection to me.” - Hamlet has recently told her that he loves her, and not just once.

Question 21

Polonius: “Affection! pooh!………………

Answer 21

………….you speak like a green girl.” - Here Polonius implies that Ophelia does not know what affection really is and that she doesn’t see the danger posed by Hamlet. “Green” suggests that Ophelia is gullible for believing Hamlet truly feels something for her.

Question 22

Polonius: “Do you believe his tenders…………..

Answer 22

………….as you call them?” - Polonius is saying to Ophelia, do you really believe his love words?

Question 23

Ophelia: “I do not know, my lord………….

Answer 23

………………what I should think.” - Is Ophelia really confused? Perhaps she is being clever by evading Polonius’ questions.

Question 24

Polonius: “Tender yourself more…………..

Answer 24

…………..dearly.” - Polonius tells Ophelia to show a bit more respect towards herself / her virginity and to also look after herself better. He tells her to keep herself loose as people are watching her.

Question 25

Polonius: “You’ll tender me a……….

Answer 25

…………fool.” - He doesn’t want Ophelia to ruin his reputation and make him look stupid.

Question 26

Ophelia: “He hath importuned me with……….

Answer 26

……….love In honourable fashion.” - Telling her father Polonius that actually, Hamlet hasn’t tried to do anything ‘naughty’ with her, but has told her he loves her in a respectful way.

Question 27

Polonius: “Ay, fashion you may…………..

Answer 27

……………call it; go to, go to.” - Here Polonius is getting angry with Ophelia and once again, reiterates the fact he believes the relationship won’t last.

Question 28

Polonius: “Think yourself a………..

Answer 28

…………..baby.” - Polonius calls Ophelia a ‘foolish little baby’ for believing that Hamlet’s offers of ‘love’ are something real. He warns her not to make him a laughing stock. The word “baby” also connotes ideas that Ophelia is too innocent, uneducated and naive to be able to think for herself, hence Laertes and Polonius thinking she needs them to make all of her decisions for her. They think they need to tell her what to do as she’s a girl.

Question 29

Ophelia: “And hath given countenance to his speech, my lord……………

Answer 29

………….With almost all the holy vows of Heaven.” - Ophelia tells Polonius that Hamlet has sworn to her that what he tells her is true, and that he’s not just using her for sex. She tries to defend Hamlet by telling Polonius that he has made the holiest vows to her to back up what he’s been saying.

Question 30

Polonius: “When the blood burns, how…………….

Answer 30

……………prodigal the soul Lends the tongue vows.” - Polonius tells Ophelia that when Hamlet is feeling horny, he’ll say anything to get her to sleep with him. He tells her that he is only saying these vows to trap her.

Question 31

Polonius: “Be somewhat scanter of your maiden…………..

Answer 31

…………..presence, Set your entreatments at a higher rate.” - Polonius tells Ophelia to play more ‘hard to get’ and to not let Hamlet’s talking be enough to make her believe he really loves her.

Question 32

Polonius: “Do not believe his vows for they are………

Answer 32

……….brokers.” - Polonius tells Ophelia that Hamlet’s vows are designed to get him what he wants.

Question 33

Polonius: “Investments”, “Implorators”………..

Answer 33

…………”Bawds.” - ‘Bawds’ are contracts and ‘Implorators’ are solicitors. Polonius is using financial language when talking about Ophelia’s love life. This suggests he believes she contains financial worth / money to him. He doesn’t want her to sell herself ‘cheaply’ to Hamlet because her virginity can be sold in marriage. Polonius believes Ophelia is his property to sell on as she is his daughter, but is happy for his son Laertes to just do his own thing, not under his orders.

Question 34

Polonius: “I would not, in plain terms, from this time forth, Have you so slander any moment leisure, As to give words or talk with………….

Answer 34

………..the Lord Hamlet. Look to’t, I charge you: come your ways.” - Polonius demands Ophelia to stop seeing Hamlet as he believes she is not good enough for him.

Question 35

Ophelia: “I shall………….

Answer 35

………..obey, my lord.” - Ophelia has no choice but to obey Polonius’ orders as he is her father. “I shall do what you say.”