Act 1 scene 3 Flashcards
(17 cards)
Act 1 scene 3 structure
This switch to a domestic setting subverts the tension that has been built up at the end of the previous scenes, as the audience is expecting Hamlet to see the Ghost. Similar sudden fluctuations between points of high and low tension continue throughout the play, demonstrating its ambiguity and uncertain nature.
Laertes - “let me hear from you.” “Think it no more.” “you must fear”
Use of imperatives can be read as a concerned brother or else as another male figure who seeks to assert his power over women
Verb “hear” alludes to a sense of surveillance, and verb “fear” indicates how Laertes tries to dictate Ophelia’s emotions in order to manipulate her
Laertes’ monologue
Both Laertes and Polonius dominate the dialogue over Ophelia, who mostly replies with submissive and short sentences. However with Laertes, Ophelia is more open and teases him by calling him a “puffed and reckless libertine”, which indicates their closeness and familial relationship as she feels comfortable enough to call him hypocritical.
Laertes’ monologue - “His will is not his own […] for on his choice depends / The safety and the health of this whole state.”
Unlike Polonius, Laertes’ caution accepts the possibility of the sincerity of Hamlet’s feelings
Laertes emphasises that Hamlet’s actions have profound implications due to royal status in court
Body politic imagery alludes to the responsibility that Hamlet feels not only to his father, but to Denmark as a nation
Laertes’ monologue - “what loss your honour may sustain” “your chaste treasure open / To his unmastered importunity”
Hamlet is presented as an annoying and unskilled pest “unmastered importunity”
Laertes focuses on the effects on Ophelia’s “chaste treasure” rather than her feelings for Hamlet
Metaphor “treasure” indicates how virginity and chastity are glorified and the only valued features to women
Laertes’ monologue - “the shot and danger of desire”
Laertes presents desire as dangerous. The use of militaristic imagery “shot” presents its sharp and painful quality
Warning to Ophelia to beware. Almost hyperbolic imagery and use of metaphors can be read as an attempt by Laertes to manipulate her
Laertes’ monologue - “The canker galls the infants of the spring”
Laertes hyperbolises Ophelia’s virtue and innocence by comparing her to “the infants of spring”. This infantilises Ophelia and patronises her, as well as focusing on the image of her virginal beauty
Contrastingly, Laertes uses the noun “canker” and verb “galls” as a metaphor for Hamlet and his actions. He is portrayed as a corrosive force that decays Ophelia. This leans in to interpretations which view Hamlet as the source of the rot in the court of Elsinore
Laertes’ monologue - “Youth to itself rebels, though none else near.”
Laertes highlights the inherent tendency of young people to defy authority and reason, even when not directly influenced by others
Laertes warns Ophelia to be wary of both internal and external impulses
Rhyming couplet at the end of Laertes’ monologue creates a sense of finality, but also inverts the previous external threats that he has mentioned. Ultimately he warns Ophelia not to be wary of just Hamlet but herself as well
Ophelia - “I shall the effect of this good lesson keep / As watchman to my heart.”
Simile “as watchman to my heart” reflects how Laertes and Polonius attempt to control Ophelia’s emotions and feelings. Her romantic life is not her own, which is emphasised later in the play when Polonius uses Ophelia to spy on Hamlet
However the noun “watchman” suggests a sense of guarding and protection, which could reflect that she is well aware of the dangers of courting Hamlet
Polonius - “And these few precepts in thy memory / Look thou character.”
Polonius ensues in giving Laertes advice about how to behave when he is in France: how to act, dress, spend, etc.
Imperative “look” and noun “precepts” convey the idea that Polonius somewhat intends to regulate Laertes’ behaviour and thoughts. When he sends Reynaldo to France to spy on Laertes, he proves this
Polonius - “to thine own self be true”
Aphorism, wise advice from Polonius can seem almost comical as certain productions limit him to the role of a fool
Theme of appearance vs reality: this concept is explored greatly throughout the play
Proleptic irony created when Polonius orders Reynaldo to spy on Laertes and even defame him if needed
Ophelia - “‘Tis in my memory locked, / And you yourself shall keep the key of it.”
Perhaps a witty reference to chastity belts, which fathers or husbands would have kept the keys of
Metaphor for control “key” gives a physical aspect to the patriarchal influence over women
Ophelia - “I do not know […] what I should think.”
Superficially this line can be read as Ophelia being confused and seeking advice from her father
However it also creates an image of female compliance to a patriarchal power structure that dictates women’s actions, including their thoughts
For example, the first person Ophelia turns to after her strange encounter with Hamlet is her father
Polonius’ monologue - “‘Tis told me he hath very oft of late” “with a larger tether he may walk”
Evidence of surveillance state and Polonius’ espionage over Ophelia’s whereabouts and actions
Animalistic imagery dehumanises Hamlet and presents him as something to be controlled
Noun “tether” reflects the ultimate control that parents exert over their children
Polonius’ monologue - “You do not understand yourself so clearly” “like a green girl / Unsifted in such perilous circumstance.” “as you call them” “I will teach you.”
Simile “like a green girl” indicates how Polonius views Ophelia as gullible and naive, which is reinforced by how the verb “unsifted” to reflect her inexperience, as well as how he tries to dictate her thought by saying she doesn’t “understand [her]self so clearly”
The phrase “as you call them” condescends Ophelia’s perception of events and instills the belief that Polonius’ interpretation of Hamlet’s intentions is correct, thus portraying his supercilious attitude and authority
Short declarative sentence “I will teach you” reflects how Polonius is determined to “teach” Ophelia what to think, demonstrating how he uses her for his own personal gain rather than trying to nurture and love her
Polonius’ monologue - “Tender yourself more dearly, / Or […] you’ll tender me a fool.”
Polonius warns Ophelia to behave not for her own benefit and safety, but rather to protect his reputation, evident through his admonishing tone
Wordplay of verb “tender” has more sinister and controlling undertones
Ophelia - “I shall obey, my lord.”
Final line of the scene reinforces Ophelia’s status as a woman, and foreshadows what Hamlet will view as her betrayal of him, as she is ultimately under her father’s command. Her lack of free will is evident, as she is used by Polonius as a means to advance his status
Submissive tone of “I shall obey” as well as the deference to her father by calling him “my lord”
