In act 1, scene 3 of Shakespeare's Hamlet, King Claudius 's trusted chancellor and counselor, Polonius, overhears part of a conversation between his son, Laertes
Laertes
Laertes is a character in William Shakespeare's play Hamlet. Laertes is the son of Polonius and the brother of Ophelia. In the final scene, he kills Hamlet with a poisoned sword to avenge the deaths of his father and sister, for which he blamed Hamlet. While dying of the same poison, …
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What does Ophelia say about hamlet in Act 1 Scene 3?
Hamlet Act 1, scene 3 Summary & Analysis. Polonius asks Ophelia what she was talking about with Laertes. Ophelia answers: Hamlet. After Polonius asks her to explain, she says that Hamlet has expressed his love for her. Polonius tells her that Hamlet is pretending to love her in order to sleep with her, and forbids her to talk to him.
What advice does Laertes give Ophelia before he leaves?
In act 1, scene 3, Laertes is about to depart for France. Before he leaves, however, he offers his sister, Ophelia, some advice about her relationship with Hamlet.
Why does Ophelia have to stifle certain aspects of herself?
The fact that so many men are attempting to govern Ophelia means that, by necessity, she must stifle certain aspects of herself in order to meet their expectations—a stressful and dishonest way of living that will cause her to become increasingly unstable as the play moves forward. Tanner, Alexandra. "Hamlet Act 1, Scene 3."
What advice does Shakespeare give his sister Ophelia before he leaves?
Before he leaves, however, he offers his sister, Ophelia, some advice about her relationship with Hamlet. Firstly, he tells her not to take too seriously the affections that Hamlet has shown for her. He says that she should consider Hamlet's affections "a fashion and a toy in blood."
What are Ophelia's motives?
Ophelia cares deeply for Hamlet but struggles to balance her relationship with him and her loyalty to her father and brother who do not want them to be together. In the end, the pressure Ophelia experiences leads her to insanity and her death by drowning.
How did Hamlet treat Ophelia in Act 3?
Angrily, Hamlet denies having given her anything; he laments the dishonesty of beauty, and claims both to have loved Ophelia once and never to have loved her at all. Bitterly commenting on the wretchedness of humankind, he urges Ophelia to enter a nunnery rather than become a “breeder of sinners” (III. i. 122–123).
What does Polonius treatment of Ophelia reveal?
Polonius sternly echoes Laertes' advice and forbids Ophelia to associate with Hamlet anymore. He tells her that Hamlet has deceived her in swearing his love and that she should see through his false vows and rebuff his affections.
How does Hamlet treat Ophelia Why?
Hamlet is cruel to Ophelia because he has transferred his anger at Gertrude's marriage to Claudius onto Ophelia. In fact, Hamlet's words suggest that he transfers his rage and disgust for his mother onto all women. He says to Ophelia, “God has given you one face and you make yourselves another.
What does Hamlet command Ophelia do in Act 3 Scene 1?
He goes on to insult Ophelia and tells her to go to a nunnery. He tells her that this will be the best place for her and, by being a nun, Ophelia won't have children and produce wicked men like his uncle.
How does Hamlet treat Ophelia before and during the play?
How does Hamlet treat Ophelia before the "play" begins? By acting very pervertedly and acting very crazy. What correction does Ophelia make when Hamlet speaks of his father? That it's only been 2 hours since his father died.
How is Ophelia treated by her brother and her father Act 1 Scene 3?
Ophelia promises to obey her father. This passage shows that Ophelia is bound to the whims and orders of the men in her life. Her father and brother attempt to control her very feelings and sexuality, while she feels tugged in the other direction by Hamlet's promises and affections.
How does Polonius manipulate Ophelia?
Polonius uses Ophelia as bait in his attempt to find out more about Hamlet when he “looses” her on him (Hamlet 2.2. 162). He employs her to lure and trap Hamlet the way a fisherman would place a worm on a hook.
Why does Polonius control Ophelia?
All in all, Polonius considers her daughter immature and therefore is very protective of her. Ophelia herself is very loyal to her father and is willing to sacrifice even her love for the prince of Denmark to sustain that loyalty.
Does Hamlet love Ophelia why does he treat her?
As we have seen, both seem to have genuinely loved each other prior to Old Hamlet's death but after that stage, Hamlet loses his affection for her because of his mistrust towards women which was caused by his mother's haste remarriage as well as by Ophelia's rejection of Hamlet and her betrayal to him by allowing her ...
Why is Hamlet mean to Ophelia in Act 3?
He tells her to go to a nunnery, assaulting her with another double entendre insult. In the Protestant Elizabethan world, people used the word "nunnery" as a euphemism for "brothel." Knowing that she is working for her father and Claudius, Hamlet accuses Ophelia of prostitution.
Does Hamlet treat Ophelia fairly?
In the beginning, of the story Hamlet makes Ophelia believe that she is the main reason for his insanity. Instead of Hamlet showing love or an emotional connection towards Ophelia, Hamlet treats Ophelia as a sexual object.
What does Ophelia hope to fob him off with?
Ophelia hopes to fob him off with an evasive response.
Why does Polonius talk to Ophelia?
Polonius speaks to Ophelia because he has heard that she has been spending quite a bit of time with the Prince Hamlet lately, and he is concerned that she is not behaving honorably. He says,
What does Laertes tell Ophelia about Hamlet?
Laertes and Ophelia are discussing Hamlet 's professed love for Op helia, and Laertes advises Ophelia to be wary of having any relationship with him.
Why is Polonius concerned about Hamlet?
Polonius is concerned that Hamlet is going mad for Ophelia's love and that Ophelia might suffer emotionally from Hamlet's erratic behavior towards her. As it turns out, Claudius and Polonius are both right. Claudius loses his kingdom and his life at Hamlet's hands. Polonius loses his life at Hamlet's hands, even if accidentally.
What does Polonius want to protect?
For all of his self-serving intent in keeping Ophelia away from Hamlet—"Or... you'll tender me a fool" (1.3.114-115)—Polonius truly wants to protect Ophelia.
What does Hamlet demand Ophelia to stop talking to?
Ultimately, he demands that Ophelia simply stop talking to Hamlet.
Is Hamlet trusted?
In a way, the two men are right. Hamlet is not to be trusted. He may have feelings for Ophelia, but he manipulates her and uses her very badly. He must see how fragile she is, but he continues to mess with her head. He has bigger problems than her. He wants to make everyone believe he is crazy because he needs to avenge his father, and she is just the tool to do it.
What does Ophelia agree to?
Ophelia agrees to his request while reminding Laertes to do the same while he is in France. This scene introduces the love Laertes has for his sister and shows us how he wants to protect her. This will be important later in the play. Approved by eNotes Editorial Team.
What does Laertes tell Ophelia about Hamlet?
Laertes then tells Ophelia to remember that Hamlet, as a member of the royal family, is "subject to his birth," and that, therefore, whatever choice he might make as regards who becomes his wife , may not be his choice alone.
What does Laertes tell his sister in Act I Scene 3?
In Act I scene three, Laertes tells is only sister goodbye as he heads to France for school. He is concerned about his sister's growing attachment to Prince Hamlet and so he warns her to be cautious of his hidden plans. Laertes warns his sister to be chaste threatening that if she gives into Hamlet, he will grow bored with her and leave her.
Why can't Hamlet marry Ophelia?
He asks Ophelia to imagine what it would be like to have given her "chaste treasure" (her virginity) and thus her honor to Hamlet, only for him to subsequently tell her that he can't marry her because the country, and the royal family, want somebody else to be the queen. Laertes implores his sister to be afraid of this eventuality, ...
What is Laertes' sister's advice to Hamlet?
Share Link. In act 1, scene 3, Laertes is about to depart for France. Before he leaves, however, he offers his sister, Ophelia, some advice about her relationship with Hamlet. Firstly, he tells her not to take too seriously the affections that Hamlet has shown for her.
What is the nurse's comment about Juliet falling on her back?
The Nurse’s husband’s comment about Juliet falling on her back when she comes of age is a reference to Juliet one day engaging in the act of sex. His comment, therefore, shows ...
Why does Lady Capulet dismiss the Nurse?
Juliet enters, and Lady Capulet dismisses the Nurse so that she might speak with her daughter alone. She immediately changes her mind, however, and asks the Nurse to remain and add her counsel. Before Lady Capulet can begin to speak, the Nurse launches into a long story about how, as a child, an uncomprehending Juliet became an innocent accomplice ...
What does Lady Capulet ask Juliet about getting married?
An embarrassed Juliet forcefully commands that the Nurse stop. Lady Capulet asks Juliet what she thinks about getting married. Juliet replies that she has not given it any thought. Lady Capulet observes that she gave birth to Juliet when she was almost Juliet’s current age.
Did Juliet's daughter die in the Nurse's story?
In the course of the Nurse’s story it becomes clear that her own daughter, who would be Juliet’s age, died long ago. The Nurse’s husband also has died. These deaths might simply be coincidental, but it seems just as likely that they correspond to the Nurse’s lower station in life.
Who warns Ophelia not to trust Prince Hamlet?
Laertes warns Ophelia not to put too much trust in Prince Hamlet and his warning is echoed by their father, Polonius, who comes to say goodbye to his son and to give laertes some words of worldly wisdom
Who is kneeling with Polonius' hand on his head?
Laertes is kneeling with polonius' hand on his head
What is the climax of Othello's wooing?
His "wooing" of Othello culminates in Act III, the climax, wherein he and Othello make vows of revenge which, critics have noted, are meant to resemble wedding vows. The litany of "put...". from Iago shows how he's going to exploit Roderigo for his own benefit "Thus do I ever make my fool my purse".
Why is Othello important?
Significance: Othello is clearly respected by those above him. He has worked hard to build to this station of respect as a Moor in Elizabethan Society. Shows his determination as a person to fight against social barriers
What is the significance of Iago's method of taking existing beliefs and ideas and warping them for his own?
Significance: Indicative of Iago's method of taking existing beliefs and ideas and warping them for his own profit, Iago borrows Othello's original imagery of "feeding" Desdemona's ear with his stories. Othello won Desdemona by telling her stories, and Iago will "win" Othello by doing the same.
What is the significance of Desdemona's use of imperatives?
Significance: Desdemona's use of imperatives here demonstrates the strength of her love for Othello and arguably the strength of her character as she demands to be allowed to accompany him.
What is the greatest tool that Iago uses of manipulation as to reveal ones fatal flaw?
This is the greatest tool that Iago uses of manipulation as to reveal ones fatal flaw is to hold ultimate power over that person. Iago becomes in control - Iago acts as director of the play driving peoples actions by feeding them half truths, and allowing them make up their own assumptions (in doing this he appears blameless, and the ideas he is presenting are more believable.)
Why does Iago go on again?
Iago goes on again to abuse and exploit Cassio's personality to twist and use against in order to get what he wants. Shows to the extent of which Iago will go to in order to achieve his revenge.
What is the echoing line in Othello?
It is an echoing line foreboding the later events of the play, and what Othello goes on to believe.