Act 1, Scene 3 Flashcards
(35 cards)
Laertes: “Hold it a fashion and a…………
…………..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.
Laertes: “A violet in the youth of……..
…………primary nature.” - suggests Ophelia is young / youthful / naive / innocent. A violet symbolises a delicate love / affection / modesty.
A delicate love in a youthful innocence.
Laertes: “Forward, not permanent…………..
……………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.
Laertes: “Perhaps he loves………..
…………you now.” - giving his sister Ophelia advice before he goes back to being a student.
Laertes: “But you must fear………..
………….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.
Laertes: “He may not carve for himself…………
…………..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.
Laertes: “If he says he loves you………….
……………..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.
Laertes: “Or lose your heart………….
…………..or your chaste treasure open.” - do not allow him to seduce you and keep your legs closed.
Laertes: “Fear it, Ophelia…………
……………..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.
Laertes: “The chariest maid is………
………….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.
Ophelia: “Do not, as some ungracious pastors do………….
…………..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.
Ophelia: “Himself the primrose path of……….
………….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.
Polonius: “Give every man thy ear……..
…………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.
Polonius: “Give thy thoughts no……….
…………tongue.” -Polonius telling Laertes to think before he speaks. giving him advice before he moves to France as a student.
Polonius: “Neither a borrower……….
………….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.
Ophelia: “ ‘Tis in my memory lock’d………….
……………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.
Polonius: “What is’t Ophelia…………
………….he hath said to you?”
Ophelia: “So please you, something touching the Lord Hamlet.”
Polonius: “ ‘Tis told me, he hath oft of late Given private time to you………….
……………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.
Polonius: “It behoves my daughter and your………..
……………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.
Ophelia: “He hath, my lord, of late made many tenders of……….
…………his affection to me.” - Hamlet has recently told her that he loves her, and not just once.
Polonius: “Affection! pooh!………………
………….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.
Polonius: “Do you believe his tenders…………..
………….as you call them?” - Polonius is saying to Ophelia, do you really believe his love words?
Ophelia: “I do not know, my lord………….
………………what I should think.” - Is Ophelia really confused? Perhaps she is being clever by evading Polonius’ questions.
Polonius: “Tender yourself more…………..
…………..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.
