1

Hamlet by William Shakespeare Act 1 Scene iii

SETTING: A room in Polonius’ suite in the castle.

TIME: A short time after the meeting in the Council Chamber.
ATMOSPHERE: It is a time of farewell; sadness.
TONE: Paternal blessings and advice:
 Laertes leaves for France. Polonius blesses his son and gives
him some advice.
 Polonius gives Ophelia advice with regard to Hamlet and
orders her not to see Hamlet again.

CHARACTERS:

POLONIUS:
 He is the Lord Chamberlain, a very important official (Act 1 Sc i). He is an experienced
courtier and a born schemer, but does not wish to become personally involved in court
intrigues.
 He is overbearing to his children and expects instant obedience from them.
 He loves his children:
o He is anxious for Laertes to cut a fine figure in Paris.
o He keeps Ophelia away from the intrigues of the court.
 He is selfish, vain, self-confident and self-important; there is nothing that he does not
know/cannot do.
 He is foolish, insensitive, lacks true wisdom, has no insight into character and acts
without thinking it over first.
 His relationship with other people, even with his own children, is based on cynical
mistrust and unwarranted suspicion.

LAERTES:
He takes after his father:
o He is long-winded and fond of giving advice to others.
o He regards everybody else with mistrust. E.g. He gives advice to Ophelia with regard
to her relationship with Hamlet.

OPHELIA:
 She is the second woman in the play and plays a very important part in isolating Hamlet.
 Her purity and innocence are stressed in this scene.
 She has no knowledge of the world and its wickedness.
 She has not been touched by the evil influences at Claudius’ court.
 She loves Hamlet truly, but she is too docile and obedient; she obeys her father in all
things.

NOTE
In this scene, we meet ordinary people doing ordinary things. Laertes is about to go back to
France, and, in his farewell to his younger sister, he gives Ophelia advice that he no doubt
considers wise.

Hamlet Act 1 Scene iii 2019 Hoërskool Piet Potgieter


ACT I
SCENE iii. Polonius’ suite. Elsinore.
Enter LAERTES and his sister, OPHELIA
LAERTES
My necessaries are embarked. Farewell.
And, sister, as the winds give benefit
And convey is assistant, do not sleep,
But let me hear from you.
OPHELIA
Do you doubt that?
LAERTES
For Hamlet, and the trifling of his favour,
Hold it a fashion and a toy in blood,
A violet in the youth of primy nature,
Forward, not permanent, sweet, not lasting, ardent, eager, pushy
The perfume and suppliance of a minute,
No more.
OPHELIA
No more but so?
LAERTES
growing up is not just about physical size and
Think it no more. strength.
For nature crescent does not grow alone
In thews and bulk, but, as this temple waxes, body; grows larger
The inward service of the mind and soul
Grows wide withal. Perhaps he loves you
And now no soil nor cautel doth besmirch
The virtue of his will; but you must fear,
His greatness weighed…
Hamlet Act 1 Scene iii
2
Laertes is about to leave for
France. His luggage has been
taken aboard a ship lying in the
harbour.
luggage He bids his sister, Ophelia, farewell.
whenever
ships are available He urges her to write to him
whenever the winds are favourable
and she has an opportunity to send
him a letter by a ship sailing to
France.
Ophelia assures him that she will
do so.
He proceeds to give Ophelia advice
casual flirting
with regard to her love affair with
a temporary enthusiasm;
Prince Hamlet. Ophelia is not to
amorous flirtation take his light flirting seriously
because his love is as changeable
in the early days of its prime
as a fashion.
Hamlet’s love is the passing fancy
of youth, not a deep affection, and
brief moment
pleasure
of
as brief as a violet (traditional flower
of love/quick-fading flowers), which
flowers for a short time in spring
and then dies.
Hamlet’s feelings for her are
fleeting and not enduring. They may
be very tender for the moment, but
will not last for a long time. In
Laertes’ opinion, Hamlet’s love is
like a volatile perfume (evaporating
easily) or a pastime that hold his
attention for only a very short time.
Ophelia wants to know if Laertes
really believes that Hamlet’s love is
nothing more than a passing fancy.
Laertes replies abruptly that it is
indeed no more than that. He
thews: sinews
reminds her that it is not only one’s
body that increases in strength and
size during the growing process; as
spiritual awareness the temple of the body develops,
at the same
now, time one’s mental and spiritual powers
also mature.
blemish nor
deceitful purpose Perhaps Hamlet loves her truly now
and maybe his feelings for her are
purity of his intentions
sincere and unstained by deceit,
his royal status considered but she must bear in mind that
Hamlet is a prince.
2019 Hoërskool Piet Potgieter

… his will is not his own,
For he himself is subject to his birth:
He may not, as unvalued persons do,
Carve for himself, for on his choice depends
The safety and health of this whole state,
And therefore must his choice be circumscribed
Unto the voice and yielding of that body
Whereof he is the head. Then, if he says he loves you,
It fits your wisdom so far to believe it
As he in his particular act and place
May give his saying deed, which is no further put words in action
Than the main voice of Denmark goes withal.
Then weigh what loss your honour may sustain
If with too credent ear you list his songs,
to
Or lose your heart, or your chaste treasure open
surrender chastity/virginity to
To his unmastered importunity. uncontrolled pleading
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.
The canker galls the infants of the spring
Too oft before their buttons be disclosed,
And, in the morn and liquid dew of youth,
Contagious blastments are most imminent. plants and flowers
Be wary, then; best safety lies in fear.
Youth to itself rebels, though none else near.
Hamlet Act 1 Scene iii
3
Hamlet cannot decide for himself
what he wants. As a prince, he will
have no say in the matter of his
future wife.
unimportant His whole life is controlled by the
fact that he is of royal birth and he
choose
may not, as ordinary people do,
choose whom he wishes to marry,
for the safety and the welfare of the
restricted whole country depends on which
girl is chosen as his wife. Therefore,
the Danish state
this choice must be approved of by
the people of Denmark of whom
Hamlet will be the leader one day.
Therefore, if Hamlet says that he
loves her, Ophelia would be wise to
royal role and status
believe it only insofar as his
particular circumstances and
position will allow him to carry out
his promises. This will be only as
far as the general opinion of
Denmark’s people will allow him to
go.
Ophelia should, therefore, consider
that her honour might be stained if
she is too ready to listen to
Hamlet’s words of love or falls in
gullible; listen
love with him too deeply.
He warns her to fear such dangers
and never to let her feelings get out
of hand. In this way, she will remain
out of the danger of uncontrolled
passion.
The most careful girl becomes too
lavish in her affections when she
reveals her beauty to the moon.
most careful young woman
Laertes warns Ophelia that even
the most virtuous person cannot
escape slanderous gossip.
hit with slander
Like the cankerworm that damages
cankerworm destroys
early spring blossoms unopened buds, it is the same with
evil: it is more imminent in the time
before the buds open of one’s youth.
He again warns Ophelia to be
careful because youths tend to
diseases that affect
rebel against self-control even
when nobody is present to tempt
them.
2019 Hoërskool Piet Potgieter
 4

OPHELIA Ophelia promises to remember her

brother’s wise advice and keep it as
I shall the effect of this good lesson keep the guardian of her heart.
As watchman to my heart. But, good my brother, She warns her brother not to act
like some priests who show their
Do not, as some ungracious pastors do, ungodly flocks the steep and thorny path to
strict and heaven, while they themselves, like
Show me the steep and thorny way to heaven, virtuous life proud and reckless libertines, enjoy
Whiles, like a puffed and reckless libertine, proud; impulsive all the earthly pleasures instead of
following their own teachings.
Himself the primrose path of dalliance treads, libertine: one who does nothing to
primrose path … treads: walks control his feelings/passions.
And recks not his own rede. along a pleasurable way Laertes assures her that she need
dalliance: casual romantic
LAERTES relationships not be afraid for him.
recks not his own rede: does Laertes realizes that he has stayed
O, fear me not. not heed his own advice too long when Polonius comes in.
Kneeling to his father, he says
Enter POLONIUS
cheerfully that although he has
I stay too long — but here my father comes. already bidden him farewell and
been blessed by him, a second
A double blessing is a double grace. blessing and leave-taking are good
Occasion smiles upon a second leave. omens.
Polonius is shocked to see that
POLONIUS Laertes has not yet left and urges
him to go at once because the
Yet here, Laertes? Aboard, aboard, for shame! ship’s sails are filling with a
The wind sits in the shoulder of your sail, sails are filled with wind favourable wind and they are
waiting for him.
And you are stayed for. There, Polonius blesses Laertes for a
second time by laying his hand on
Laying his hand on LAERTES’ head. his head. He proceeds to give
My blessing with thee! Laertes some good advice, which
he should etch in his memory and
And these few precepts in thy memory rules/guide to good conduct never forget.
He advises Laertes to be secretive
Look thou character. Give thy thoughts no tongue, voice
and not to act impulsively by
don’t act on any unruly
Nor any unproportioned thought his act. thoughts
carrying improper thoughts that
enter his mind.
Be thou familiar, but by no means vulgar. friendly He must always be polite and
proved their friendly, but should never associate
Those friends thou hast, and their adoption tried, worth
with ill-mannered people. If he has
Grapple them unto thy soul with hoops of steel, hold them to friends whose loyalty has been
don’t get callouses proved by experience, he should
But do not dull thy palm with entertainment shaking everyone’s
bind them to himself with bonds of
hands
Of each new-hatch’d, unfledged courage. Beware friendship that are as strong as
steel. On the other hand, he should
Of entrance to a quarrel, but, being in, not make himself too common by
handle it in such a being friendly with each casual and
Bear’t that th’ opposèd may beware of thee. way
unproved acquaintance.
Laertes should avoid quarrelling,
but, once he’s involved in a fight, he
should give such a good account of
himself that his opponent/enemies
will be careful of him in the future.
Hamlet Act 1 Scene iii 2019 Hoërskool Piet Potgieter
 5

Give every man thy ear, but few thy voice. Laertes should listen to everyone,
but reveal his inner thoughts only to
Take each man’s censure, but reserve thy judgment.opinion a few. In addition, he should form
an opinion about each man, but
instead of revealing it, rather hold
his judgment over to a later time
and place.

NOTE
In this speech Polonius reveals himself as completely self-satisfied (with his own wisdom)
and self-centred. His attitude towards his fellow-man is that of self-interest, caution and the
strong wish never to get involved. And he succeeds admirably in passing this on to Laertes.

Costly thy habit as thy purse can buy,
But not expressed in fancy, rich, not gaudy,elaborate/showing off
For the apparel oft proclaims the man,
And they in France of the best rank and station
Are of a most select and generous chief in
Neither a borrower nor a lender be,
For loan oft loses both itself and friend,
And borrowing dulls the edge of husbandry.
This above all: to thine own self be true,
And it must follow, as the night the day,
Thou canst not then be false to any man.
Farewell. My blessing season this in thee.
LAERTES
Most humbly do I take my leave, my lord.
POLONIUS
The time invests you. Go, your servants tend.
clothes The young man’s clothing must be
as elegant as he can afford, but
should not be too eccentric in style;
clothes often define you
it should be expensive, but not too
showy, for a man’s appearance is
social standing often used as a guide to his
best taste in character. The French nobility are
that. clothes known to be very fastidious (difficult
to please) and selective (choosing)
as regards clothing.
makes it hard to Polonius urges Laertes not to lend
spend money money to others and never to
carefully; borrow from anybody, as unpaid
husbandry:
management of debts lead to broken friendships:
one’s money often both the money lent and the
friend to whom it was lent are lost
forever. Moreover, an inclination (a
fondness) to borrow leads to the
bad management of one’s business
affairs.
Finally and most important of all, if
Laertes is always true to himself it
is as sure as that the night will
follow the day that he can never
treat anybody else falsely.
bring to fruition/ripen He concludes by expressing the
hope that his blessing will cause
this advice to bear fruit.
wait for you

LAERTES
After taking leave of his father,
Farewell, Ophelia, and remember well Laertes bids Ophelia farewell and
What I have said to you. warns her not to forget what they
had talked about.

Hamlet Act 1 Scene iii 2019 Hoërskool Piet Potgieter


OPHELIA
’Tis in my memory locked,
And you yourself shall keep the key of it.
LAERTES
Farewell.
POLONIUS
What is’t, Ophelia, he hath said to you?
OPHELIA
So please you, something touching the Lord Hamlet.
POLONIUS
Marry, well bethought.
’Tis told me he hath very oft of late
Given private time to you, and you yourself
Have of your audience been most free and bounteous.
If it be so – as so ’tis put on me,
And that in way of caution – I must tell you,
You do not understand yourself so clearly
As it behooves my daughter and your honour.
What is between you? Give me up the truth.
OPHELIA
He hath, my lord, of late made many tenders
Of his affection to me.
POLONIUS
Affection, puh! You speak like a green girl
Unsifted in such perilous circumstance.
Do you believe his tenders, as you call them?
OPHELIA
I do not know, my lord, what I should think.
Hamlet Act 1 Scene iii
6
Embracing her brother, Ophelia
says that she will remember his
advice and follow it until he himself
releases her from this promise.
Exit LAERTES
When Laertes has left, Polonius
asks Ophelia inquisitively what she
and her brother had talked about.
She replies that they discussed
Prince Hamlet.
indeed
Her father says he is very glad that
Laertes was so thoughtful. In fact,
he has been told that Hamlet has
been spending a lot of time with
generously given Ophelia lately. She has been a very
willing and attentive listener.
If that is the case, as it was
reported to him by way of warning,
it is clear that she does not yet
know how to behave herself
honourably, as a daughter of his
should.
befits
He demands to know if there is
anything between her and Hamlet.
Ophelia replies stoutly that the
declarations/offers prince has told her frequently that
he loves her.
Polonius ridicules the idea that
inexperienced
Hamlet loves her, adding that
untested; dangerous Ophelia is inexperienced and does
not know anything about such
dangerous matters. He asks
cynically if Ophelia really believes
Hamlet’s declarations of love.
2019 Hoërskool Piet Potgieter
 7

POLONIUS
Tender: value (value yourself at a
Marry, I will teach you. Think yourself a baby higher rate).
That you have ta’en these tenders for true pay, Polonius now puns on the
genuine
commercial sense of the word,
Which are not sterling. Tender yourself more dearly, picking up the reference to ‘pay’
to exhaust and ‘sterling’.
Or (not to crack the wind of the poor phrase, yourself chasing Metaphor: ‘crack the wind …
something you
Running it thus) you’ll tender me a fool. cannot have
Running it thus’ - a horse whose
‘wind’ or strength is broken by being
OPHELIA worked too hard (used for horses
that run long distances).
My lord, he hath importuned me with love eagerly pursued

In honourable fashion – manner/way

POLONIUS Ophelia protests that Hamlet has

courted her in an honourable way.
Ay, fashion you may call it. Go to, go to. a way of flirting

OPHELIA credibility
And hath given countenance to his speech, my lord,
With almost all the holy vows of heaven.
POLONIUS snares
Ay, springes to catch woodcocks. I do know,
When the blood burns, how prodigal the soul
Lends the tongue vows. These blazes, daughter,
Giving more light than heat, extinct in both
Even in their promise, as it is a-making,
You must not take for fire. From this time
Be something scanter of your maiden presence.
Set your entreatments² at a higher rate¹
Than a command to parle³. …
Polonius refers to Hamlet’s
advances in the same way Laertes
did at the start of this scene. Father
and son are like-minded: they think
little of Hamlet’s true intentions.
small brown bird
Ignoring her father’s rude
lavish/reckless interjection, she says that the
Prince has proved the sincerity of
outbursts his love by calling on heaven to
a flame’s light and witness his holy vows.
heat die soon
Polonius refers contemptuously to
Hamlet’s love for Ophelia by
comparing it to snares set to catch
don’t be so ready
woodcocks (small brown gamebird
to see Hamlet
that is foolish and easily caught).
When youth’s passion is aroused
Imagery:
i. financial careless or irresponsible (prodigal)
ii. diplomacy vows of love are made. These
iii. military
outbursts of passion must not be
taken for real love. They are like a
fire which dies down as soon as it
has started burning because there
is no real depth of feeling.

NOTE
Polonius uses images from finances, diplomacy and the military:
i) Finance: ‘Set … at a higher rate’ – Ophelia must not be so available to Hamlet; she
must make herself unavailable (something of great value that costs much cannot be
‘bought’)
ii) Diplomacy: ‘entreatments’ – Negotiations are made between political figures; Ophelia
must set her ‘negotiations’ at a higher rate. She must not give Hamlet what he wants.
iii) Military: ‘command to parle’ – an order to meet in conference. Polonius uses a military
image to warn Ophelia of love’s dangers (especially Hamlet’s love – because he is the
Hamlet Act 1 Scene iii 2019 Hoërskool Piet Potgieter
 8

next heir to the throne). Polonius pictures Ophelia as a castle under siege and
advises her not to get involved with Hamlet through any form of negotiation that will
lead her to surrender to him.
In short: When Hamlet calls for her or when he wants to meet/see her (calls her to
conference), she must not communicate with him (set her negotiations at a high rate – make
herself unavailable). She must ignore/say no to any advances made by Hamlet.

POLONIUS Polonius then orders Ophelia not to

… For Lord Hamlet,
Believe so much in him, that he is young,
And with a larger tether may he walk a longer leash/more
freedom
Than may be given you. In few, Ophelia,
Do not believe his vows, for they are brokers,
Not of that dye which their investments show,
But mere implorators of unholy suits, love talk designed to seduce
breathing like sanctified and pious bawds speaking;
The better to beguile. This is for all: charm/seduce
I would not, in plain terms, from this time forth
Have you so slander any moment leisure misuse
As to give words or talk with the Lord Hamlet.
Look to ’t, I charge you. Come your ways.
be so readily available if Hamlet
wants to see her. She is not to see
the Prince every time he wishes to
talk to her. Hamlet is young and
has far greater freedom than she to
come and go as he pleases.
Therefore, she is not to believe his
promises, because they are not
pimps what they seem. They are merely
not as holy as made to pave the way for Hamlet’s
their clothes dishonourable plans, although they
would indicate may sound like sincere proposals
of marriage in order to betray her.
He concludes by forbidding Ophelia
Contrast: to talk to Hamlet again and she
pious bawds promises meekly to obey.What will
pious means
religious; the effect of this order be on the
bawd is a young lovers? Will Ophelia obey
woman who
manages a
her father? If she does, will Hamlet
brothel who does not know WHY she is
avoiding him, regard her, too, as
fickle? “Frailty, thy name is
woman.”

OPHELIA
I shall obey, my lord.
Exeunt

NOTE
This order illustrates Polonius’ lack of real wisdom: he does not make inquiries with regard to
Hamlet’s intentions or feelings towards Ophelia, but condemns him out of hand as planning
to betray Ophelia.he does not consider Ophelia’s feelings or happiness at all, but is selfishly
concerned with his own political future; he assumes that a marriage between the Prince and
his daughter is impossible – he is of royal blood and she is a commoner. Hamlet’s future is
very uncertain at this stage and Polonius does not wish to become involved.

Hamlet Act 1 Scene iii 2019 Hoërskool Piet Potgieter

 9

HAMLET Act 1 Scene iii

Questions

1. Answer the following questions:

1.1. Where does this scene take place?

Act 1 Scene iii takes place in a suite in Denmark’s castle at Elsinore.

1.2. When does it take place?

It takes place a short time after the meeting in the Council Chamber.

1.3. Who is Polonius?

Polonius is the Lord Chamberlain, a very important official in the castle who manages
the King’s household.

1.4. Describe the character of Polonius.

He is an experienced courtier and a born schemer, but does not wish to become
personally involved in court intrigues. He is overbearing to his children and expects
instant obedience from them. He loves his children, Laertes and Ophelia. He is
selfish, vain, self-confident and self-important; there is nothing that he does not
know/cannot do. He is foolish, insensitive, lacks true wisdom, has no insight into
character and acts without thinking it over first. His relationship with other people,
even with his own children, is based on cynical mistrust and unwarranted suspicion.

1.5. What is Laertes about to do?

Laertes is about to embark a ship and return to France.

1.6. What does Laertes ask Ophelia to do?

He urges her to write to him whenever the winds are favourable and she has an
opportunity to send him a letter by a ship sailing to France.

1.7. Laertes speaks to Ophelia about Hamlet.

1.7.1. What does he advise her to do with regard to Hamlet’s love?

Ophelia is not to take his light flirting seriously.

1.7.2. How does he describe Hamlet’s love?

 He says that Hamlet’s love is as changeable as a fashion.
 Hamlet’s love is the passing fancy of youth, not a deep affection.
 It is as brief as a violet (traditional flower of love/quick-fading flowers), which
flowers for a short time in spring and then dies.
 It is a perfume that only pleases the senses for a short time.

1.8. Explain each of the comparisons that Laertes makes when speaking about Hamlet’s
love:

1.8.1. ‘a fashion’
The first comparison is to fashion and style, something all woman understand.
What is fashionable today, is no longer of use tomorrow. Laertes claims that

Hamlet Act 1 Scene iii 2019 Hoërskool Piet Potgieter

 10

Hamlet’s interest in Ophelia will fade soon.

1.8.2. ‘a toy in blood’

The second comparison is similar to the first. A ‘toy in blood’ refers to getting
aroused. It is a passing fancy/feeling; it is here now and gone soon after.
Laertes believes that Hamlet’s desire (‘toy in blood’) for Ophelia will pass
soon.
A ‘toy in blood’ could also mean that Hamlet is playing with Ophelia’s feelings.
The ‘toy’ is not his desire in his blood, but her desire for Hamlet in her blood.
(A play on the word ‘toy’ – to toy with someone’s feelings).

1.8.3. ‘a violet’
Violets are traditional flowers of love. A violet (flower) that blooms too early in
the season is beautiful to see, but it is a quick-fading flower. According to
Laertes, Hamlet’s love for Ophelia will fade as quickly as the violet blooms and
dies.

1.8.4. ‘perfume’
The scent is sweet, but the fragrance lasts only for a short time.

1.9. Give TWO reasons why Laertes compares Hamlet’s love to a violet.
It is a traditional flower of love.
When a violet blooms, it fades (dies/withers) quickly.
Hamlet’s love (infatuation) will fade quickly.

1.10. Quote the TWO contrasting images that Laertes uses to describe the briefness of
Hamlet’s love.
“For nature crescent does not grow alone/In thews and bulk, but as his temple
waxes/The inward service of the mind and soul/Grows wide withal.”
The contrast is the outward growth (waxing) of the body and the inward growth of the
mind and soul.

1.11. Explain the image used by Laertes to describe the growth of both the body and the
mind.
What Laertes is saying is that the body increases in strength and size (which can be
seen outwardly), but while this outward physical growth occurs, an inward growth also
takes place (which cannot be seen), i.e. the development of mental and spiritual
powers.

1.12. Is there a possibility that Hamlet may love Ophelia truly, according to Laertes?
Hamlet is growing up/becoming mature. With this mental and spiritual growth comes
change and responsibilities. Perhaps his feelings for Ophelia are sincere and
unstained by deceit, but soon he will change. Being a Prince means that he will have
more responsibilities and this will make him feel differently about her.

1.13. Explain in your own words why Hamlet will not be allowed to choose his own wife.
Hamlet cannot decide for himself what he wants. As a prince, he will have no say in
the matter of his future wife. His whole life is controlled by the fact that he is of royal
birth and he may not, as ordinary people do, choose whom he wishes to marry, for
the safety and the welfare of the whole country depends on which girl is chosen as
his wife.
Hamlet Act 1 Scene iii 2019 Hoërskool Piet Potgieter
 11

1.14. Who must approve of his choice of wife?

The choice of his wife must be approved of by the people of Denmark.

1.15. On what grounds do the people of Denmark have a say in the matter?
Hamlet will be their king/leader and their safety and welfare is dependent on his
marrying a suitable woman who will help him govern the country well.

1.16. How should Ophelia regard Hamlet’s vows of love?

If Hamlet says that he loves her, Ophelia would be wise to believe it only insofar as
his particular circumstances and position will allow him to carry out his promises. This
will be only as far as the general opinion of Denmark’s people will allow him to go.

1.17. To what extent will the Prince be allowed to carry out his promises?
This will be only as far as the general opinion of Denmark’s people will allow him to
go.

1.18. In what circumstances does even ‘the chariest maid’ become ‘prodigal’.
When she reveals her beauty to the moon.

1.19. To what ‘songs’ does Laertes refer?

Laertes doesn’t want Ophelia to listen too closely to Hamlet’s protestations of love.

1.20. What might happeto her if she loses her heart?

Ophelia’s honour might be stained if she is too ready to listen to Hamlet’s words of l
love or falls in love with him too deeply. He warns her to fear such dangers and never
to let her feelings get out of hand.

1.21. Explain the following phrases:

1.21.1. ‘lose your heart’

Personification: you cannot lose your heart; she mustn’t give way to
uncontrolled passion.

1.21.2. ‘or your chaste treasure open’

Metaphor: losing the valuable and precious gift of virginity.

1.22. Explain each of these images in your own words:

a) ‘the chariest maid’

A most careful girl.

b) ‘prodigal’
Lavish; generous; uncontrolled passion.

1.23. How should Ophelia control her feelings?

She should fear the dangers of falling in love and never let her feelings get out of
hand. In this way, she will remain out of the danger of uncontrolled passion.

1.24. How does Laertes seem to regard the relationship between Hamlet and Ophelia?
Hamlet’s relationship with Ophelia is like the cankerworm that damages unopened
buds; it is the same with evil: it is more imminent in the time of one’s youth. Laertes
Hamlet Act 1 Scene iii 2019 Hoërskool Piet Potgieter
 12

warns Ophelia to be careful because youths tend to rebel against self-control even
when nobody is present to tempt them.

1.25. To what other ‘danger’ is ‘virtue’ exposed, according to Laertes?

Laertes warns Ophelia that even the most virtuous person cannot escape slanderous
gossip. People who gossip and easily slander a person/woman’s name will make her
look unworthy and no other man will be interested in her.

1.26. Quote to support the reason why Laertes wants Ophelia to remain chaste?
“Virtue itself ’scapes not calumnious strokes.”
She will suffer the consequences if she gives herself to Hamlet out of marriage.
These consequences are that she will
 lose her chastity and her reputation;
 people will gossip about her and slander her name.

1.27. Explain in your own words what Laertes means by each of the following images
depicting the dangers of youth and love.

1.27.1. the ‘canker’ which ‘galls the infants of spring’ before ‘their buttons’ are
opened.
Worms ruin flowers before they blossom. When a worm is inside the flower,
the bud will never open – the flower will never blossom.
A ‘canker’ is a worm, and to ‘gall’ is to break the skin. ‘Infants of the spring’ is
metaphorical for early spring flowers, and their ‘buttons’ are their unopened
buds, and in this case, Ophelia is the young, pure bud. The ‘canker’ or worm
is her love, Hamlet, whom Laertes believes will break her heart like the
flower bud that is eaten by a canker. Laertes is also worried that Ophelia
could sleep with Hamlet and fall pregnant; she will be publicly shamed just
as if the same worm were to break the surface, ruining her reputation.

1.27.2. the ‘contagious blastments’ which ‘are most imminent’ in the early days of
youth.
Contagious means diseased and blastments means plants. Young people
are like plants who can easily be influenced (plagued by disease).

1.28. In what way does youth rebel against itself, according to Laertes?
He warns Ophelia to be careful because youths tend to rebel against self-control even
when nobody is present to tempt them.

1.29. What does Ophelia promise to do with regard to Laertes’ advice?

Ophelia promises to remember her brother’s wise advice and keep it as the guardian
of her heart.

1.30. Explain Ophelia’s warning to Laertes with regard to his behaviour.

She warns her brother not to act like some priests who show their flocks the steep
and thorny path to heaven, while they themselves, like proud and reckless libertines,
enjoy all the earthly pleasures instead of following their own teachings.

Hamlet Act 1 Scene iii 2019 Hoërskool Piet Potgieter

 13

1.31. What does Laertes mean by saying that ‘a double blessing is a double grace’?
His father enters and he is pleased by his luck to be blessed by his father twice
before leaving for France. His father, having to bless him twice, means he is blessed
to receive God’s favour (Grace) twice.

1.32. What does Laertes regard as a good omen?

A second blessing and leave-taking are good omens.

1.33. How does Polonius react when he sees that Laertes has not yet left?
Polonius is shocked to see that Laertes has not yet left and urges him to go at once
because the ship’s sails are filling with a favourable wind and they are waiting for him.

1.34. How does Polonius bless Laertes?

Laertes kneels in front of his father and Polonius blesses him for a second time by
laying his hand on his head.

1.35. What does Polonius want Laertes to do with the advice he is about to give?
Laertes should etch it in his memory and never forget it.

1.36. What advice does Polonius give to Laertes about his

a) thoughts?
He advises Laertes to be secretive.

b) actions?
Laertes should not act impulsively by carrying improper thoughts that enter his
mind.

1.37. How should Laertes behave towards other people?

He must always be polite and friendly, but should never associate with ill-mannered
people.

1.38. With what type of person should he not make friends?

He must never associate with ill-mannered people.

1.39. Explain the contrast between the words ‘familiar’ and ‘vulgar’ in this context.
The world ‘familiar’ means friendly and ‘vulgar’ means indiscriminate (being friendly
towards everyone - every casual and unknown acquaintance/person).

1.40. Who are the only friends he should trust?

If he has friends whose loyalty has been proved by experience, he should bind them
to himself with bonds of friendship that are as strong as steel.

1.41. Answer the question

1.41.1. What do the following mean?

a) ‘dull thy palm’

develop callouses; make the palm numb of pain through hardened
callouses

Hamlet Act 1 Scene iii 2019 Hoërskool Piet Potgieter

 14

b) ‘entertainment’
shaking hands

1.41.2. What does Polonius mean when he says “But do not dull thy palm with
entertainment”?
Polonius is telling Laertes not to shake hands with everyone he meets.

1.42. Explain the following images in your own words:

1.42.1. a ‘new-hatched’ friend

someone he knows through experience to be loyal

1.42.2. an ‘unfledged’ friend

someone he has met, but not well enough to know if he can be trusted

1.43. What should Laertes avoid?

Laertes should avoid quarrelling.

1.44. “Beware/Of entrance to a quarrel, but being in,/Bear’t that th’ opposed may beware of
thee.”
What does ‘Bear’t’ mean in context?
If Laertes ends up in a quarrel he must handle it in a worthy way.

1.45. How must he act if he is drawn into a quarrel?

If he’s involved in a fight, he should give such a good account of himself that his
opponent/enemies will be careful of him in the future.

1.46. What advice does Polonius give Laertes with regard to

a) his ear?
Laertes should listen to everyone.

b) his voice?
Laertes should reveal his inner thoughts only to a few.

1.47. According to Polonius,

1.47.1. How should Laertes take each man’s censure?

Laertes should form an opinion (censure) about each man.

1.47.2. How should he reserve his judgment?

Instead of revealing this judgment, he should hold it over to a later time and
place.

1.48. Explain each of the following contrasts in your own words:

1.48.1. between ‘costly’ and ‘not expressed in fancy’.

costly; expensive style
‘fancy: eccentric style
Laertes must be elegant according to what he can afford; he must not dress
to eccentric.
Hamlet Act 1 Scene iii 2019 Hoërskool Piet Potgieter
 15

1.48.2. between ‘rich’ and ‘not gaudy’.

rich: his clothes must be expensive
gaudy: showy
Laertes must wear expensive clothes, not clothes that are too extravagant
and bright, and of bad taste.

1.49. Why are clothes worn by a man so important?

A man’s appearance is often used as a guide to his character.

1.50. For what are the French gentlemen known?

The French show their refinement chiefly in the way they choose their clothes. The
French nobility (gentlemen) are known to be very difficult to please and take
excessive care when selecting their clothes.

1.51. What advice does Laertes receive with regard to money matters.
Polonius urges Laertes not to lend money to others and never to borrow from
anybody.

1.52. Name the two consequences of lending money to a friend.

Unpaid debts lead to broken friendships.
Often both the money lent and the friend to whom it was lent are lost forever.

1.53. What effect does an inclination to borrow money have on one's business affairs?
An inclination (a fondness) to borrow leads to the bad management of one’s business
affairs.

1.54. What does the word ‘true’ mean in this context?

True in this context means to be loyal.

1.55. To whom must Laertes be ‘true’ in the first place?

Laertes must always be true to himself.

1.56. What will the inevitable consequences of this be?

If Laertes is always true to himself it is as sure as that the night will follow the day that
he can never treat anybody else falsely.

1.57. What hope does Polonius express before Laertes ‘takes his leave’?
He expressing the hope that his blessing will cause this advice to bear fruit.

1.58. Of what does Laertes remind Ophelia before he departs?

She should not forget what they have talked about regarding Hamlet.

1.59. What promise does she make to Laertes?

Embracing her brother, Ophelia says that she will remember his advice and follow it
until he himself releases her from this promise.

1.60. To what does Polonius refer by saying: ‘well bethought’?

Polonius asks Ophelia inquisitively what she and her brother had talked about. She
replies that they discussed Prince Hamlet. Her father says he is very glad that Laertes
was so thoughtful.
Hamlet Act 1 Scene iii 2019 Hoërskool Piet Potgieter
 16

1.61. What rumours has Polonius heard with regard to Hamlet and Ophelia?
Polonius has been told that Hamlet has been spending a lot of time with Ophelia
lately. She has been a very willing and attentive listener.

1.62. In what way does Ophelia not ‘understand herself so clearly’, according to her father?
It is clear that she does not yet know how to behave herself honourably, as a
daughter of his should.

1.63. What phrase does Ophelia use to describe Hamlet’s declarations of love?
Ophelia says that Hamlet has made “tenders of affection”. In other words, the prince
has told her frequently that he loves her.

1.64. Why does Polonius call Ophelia ‘a green girl’?

Polonius ridicules the idea that Hamlet loves her, adding that Ophelia is
inexperienced and does not know anything about such dangerous matters.

1.65. Polonius asks Ophelia if she believes Hamlet’s ‘tenders’ (declarations of love).

a) What does she reply?

She says she doesn’t know what to think. She is being cautious in her response
so as not to upset her father.

b) What does this show with regard to her state of mind?

This shows her innocence, but also a level of maturity.

1.66. In what way should she ‘tender’ herself, according to Polonius?

Polonius advises her to value herself more highly.

1.67. What will be the consequences if she does not value herself more highly?
She will make a fool of both her father and herself.

1.68. Explain the meaning of each of the following as used in this context by Ophelia:

a) ‘importuned’
Hamlet has eagerly pursued her; he has courted her in an honourable way.

b) ‘hath given countenance’

His advances have been credible/worthy. She says that the prince has proved the
sincerity of his love by calling on heaven to witness his holy vows.

1.69. What does Polonius call Hamlet’s ‘holy vows of heaven’?

He says that Hamlet’s vows of love may be sincere, but they are unreliable.

1.70. Explain the word ‘woodcock’ as used in this context.

Polonius refers contemptuously to Hamlet’s love for Ophelia by comparing it to
snares set to catch woodcocks (small brown gamebird that is foolish and easily
caught).

1.71. What is the consequence when youth's passion is aroused?

When youth’s passion is aroused careless or irresponsible (prodigal) vows of love are
made.
Hamlet Act 1 Scene iii 2019 Hoërskool Piet Potgieter
 17

1.72. What does Polonius call ‘these blazes’ ?

These blazes are outbursts of passion and must not be taken for real love. They are
like a fire that dies down as soon as it has started burning because there is no real
depth of feeling.

1.73. Why are they described as ‘extinct’ in both light and heat?
It looks like fire that gives light and heat, but it isn’t real fire. The light (truth) and heat
(passion) does not exist; the infatuation fades soon. (In contrast, real love lasts
forever.)

1.74. To what does the word ‘promise’ refer?

A holy vow – marriage.

1.75. What does Polonius regard as ‘fire’?

Outbursts of passion made by the youth.

1.76. What does he order Ophelia to do in future?

Polonius then orders Ophelia not to be so readily available if Hamlet wants to see her.
She is not to see the Prince every time he wishes to talk to her.
1.77. Explain the image of Hamlet’s ‘tether’ in your own words.
Hamlet is young and has far greater freedom than she to come and go as he pleases.
His mother and King Claudius will allow him to achieve many things because he is
the heir to the throne.

1.78. Explain in detail why Ophelia is not to believe Hamlet's vows, i.e. the image of the
false brokers.
Just like brokers (pimps) betray young women and they lose their virtue and become
prostitutes, Hamlet will only betray her. His marriage proposals may seem sincere,
but they are merely made to pave the way for him to dishonour her.

1.79. What is the final order given to Ophelia by her father?

He concludes by forbidding Ophelia to talk to Hamlet again.

1.80. How does she react to this command?

She promises meekly to obey her father.

1.81. Analyse the character of each of the following persons as it is revealed in this scene:

a) Laertes
He takes after his father:
He is long-winded and fond of giving advice to others.
He regards everybody else with mistrust. E.g. He gives advice to Ophelia with
regard to her relationship with Hamlet.

b) Ophelia
She is the second woman in the play and plays a very important part in isolating
Hamlet.
Her purity and innocence are stressed in this scene.
She has no knowledge of the world and its wickedness.
Hamlet Act 1 Scene iii 2019 Hoërskool Piet Potgieter
 18

She has not been touched by the evil influences at Claudius’ court.
She loves Hamlet truly, but she is too docile and obedient; she obeys her father in
all things.

2. Relate each of the following quotations from Act 1 Scene iii to its context.

2.1. “For Hamlet and the trifling of his favour

Hold it a fashion and a toy in blood:
A violet in the youth of primy nature,
Forward, not permanent; sweet, not lasting,
The perfume and suppliance of a minute.”

a) Who says these words? Laertes

b) To whom are the words said? Ophelia
c) Where and when does this scene take place and what is the occasion? Laertes is
with Ophelia in a room in Polonius’ suite in the castle. It is a short time after the
meeting in the Council Chamber. Laertes is leaving for France.
d) Explain each of the underlined words in your own words.
- a fashion: The first comparison is to fashion and style, something all woman
understand. What is fashionable today, is no longer of use tomorrow. Laertes
claims that Hamlet’s interest in Ophelia will fade soon.
- a toy in blood: A ‘toy in blood’ refers to getting aroused. It is a passing
fancy/feeling; it is here now and gone soon after. Laertes believes that
Hamlet’s desire (‘toy in blood’) for Ophelia will pass soon. A ‘toy in blood’
could also mean that Hamlet is playing with Ophelia’s feelings. The ‘toy’ is not
his desire in his blood, but her desire for Hamlet in her blood. (A play on the
word ‘toy’ – to toy with someone’s feelings)
- a violet: Violets are traditional flowers of love. A violet (flower) that blooms too
early in the season is beautiful to see, but it is a quick-fading flower.
According to Laertes, Hamlet’s love for Ophelia will fade as quickly as the
violet blooms and dies.
- Forward, not permanent: Quick to mature/bloom, but not longlasting.

2.2. “but you must fear

His greatness weighed, his will is not his own:
For he himself is subject to his birth:
He may not, as unvalued persons do,
Carve for himself.”

a) Who says these words? Laertes

b) To whom are the words said? Ophelia
c) Say clearly why the person referred to may not ‘Carve for himself’. Hamlet cannot
decide for himself what he wants. As a prince he may not make his own decisions
e.g. marry any girl of his choice.
d) Explain each of the underlined words/phrases in your own words.
- His greatness: Hamlet is a Prince. He is the heir to the throne – the next King
of Denmark.
- Subject to his birth: Hamlet’s whole life is controlled by the fact that he is of
royal birth.
- Unvalued person: An ordinary person

Hamlet Act 1 Scene iii 2019 Hoërskool Piet Potgieter

 19

- Carve for himself: He cannot make decisions of his own, e.g. choose whom to
marry.

2.3. “Do not, as some ungracious pastors do,

Show me the steep and thorny way to heaven;
Whiles, like a puffed and reckless libertine,
Himself the primrose path of dalliance treads,
And reeks not his own rede.”

a) Who says these words? Ophelia

b) To whom are the words said? Laertes
c) To what does the speaker refer by ‘the steep and thorny way’? ‘The steep and
thorny way’ is a strict and virtuous way of life.
d) What is a libertine? A libertine is a person who does nothing to control his
feelings/passions.
e) What is ‘the primrose path to dalliance’? A primrose is a flower; A primrose path is
a path of pleasure that leads to idleness/sexual misconduct.
f) In what way does the ‘ungracious pastor’ not ‘reek his own rede’? The
immoral/ungodly pastors enjoy all the earthly pleasures instead of following their
own teachings.

2.4. “think yourself a baby,

That you have taken these tenders for true pay,
That are not sterling.”

a) Who says these words? Polonius

b) To whom are the words said? Ophelia.
c) Why should the person addressed think of him/herself as a baby? Polonius is
trying to show her how innocent/naïve/inexperienced she is.
d) To what ‘tenders’ does the speaker refer? The tenders are offers of affection/vows
of love made to Ophelia by Hamlet.
e) Why are these ‘tenders’ not ‘sterling’, according to the speaker? They are of little
value.

2.5. “these blazes,

Giving more light than heat – extinct in both,
Even in their promise, as it is a making –
You must not take for fire.”

a) Who says these words? Polonius

b) To whom are the words said? Ophelia.
c) Compare and contrast the images of ‘blazes’ and ‘fire’ as used by the speaker.
Comparison: the passion/outbursts of love (blazes) are like a large or fiercely
burning fire. True love is like a fire that gives light and heat; it lasts for a long time.
Contrast: Hamlet’s blazes are outbursts of passion and must not be taken for real
love. They are like a fire that dies down as soon as it has started burning because
there is no real depth of feeling. It looks like fire that gives light and heat, but it
isn’t real. The light (truth) and heat (passion) does not exist; the infatuation fades
soon.

Hamlet Act 1 Scene iii 2019 Hoërskool Piet Potgieter