Sex / Sexuality

Question 1

Laertes insistence on Ophelia avoiding premarital sex , as not to be ‘damaged goods’

Answer 1

“Fear it, Ophelia; fear it, my dear sister,
And keep you in the rear of your affection,
Out of the shot and danger of desire.
The chariest maid is prodigal enough,
If she unmask her beauty to the moon.
Virtue itself ‘scapes not calumnious strokes.”

Question 2

( Polonius ) Ophlia’s virginity is a family affair , vulnerable to damadge

Answer 2

“From this time

Be somewhat scanter of your maiden presence.”

Question 3

The Ghost on Gertrudes betrayal

Answer 3

“O horrible, O horrible, most horrible!
If thou hast nature in thee, bear it not.
Let not the royal bed of Denmark be
A couch for luxury and damnèd incest.
But, howsoever thou pursuest this act,
Taint not thy mind, nor let thy soul contrive
Against thy mother aught.”

Question 4

Hamlets outlook on sex

Answer 4

“Nay, but to live
In the rank sweat of an enseamèd bed,
Stewed in corruption, honeying and making love
Over the nasty sty!”