1. Hamlet Act 1 scene 3
Notes

2. 1. Laertes’ Advice to Ophelia:
Reveals his own character and behaviour
Don’t believe Hamlet’s words of love
Be careful

3. What This Reveals About Laertes:
Doesn’t like Hamlet
Doesn’t give Ophelia much credit
Doesn’t believe she can judge the situation and handle it well
In telling Ophelia to remember the advice he gave, he reveals his own weakness

4. 2. Polonius’ Advice to Laertes:
When he goes to France, make new friends, but keep old friends
Be friendly, not rude
Don’t get into fights, but if you do, win
Listen to people, but don’t give your opinion
Dress nicely
Be yourself

5. What Polonius’ Advice Reveals About his own Character:
Very concerned about surface image, reputation, not ruining the family name
Polonius tells his son how to act, then tells him to be himself – a contradiction

6. 3. Polonius’ Advice to Ophelia
Don’t believe Hamlet’s words of love
Says she is green and if she not careful, she could get pregnant

7. What Polonius’ Advice Reveals About Him:
He does not like Hamlet
Wonders why Hamlet, who is royalty would love Ophelia
Doesn’t give Ophelia much credit and probably makes her feel unsure of herself because he puts her down

8. The Relationships in this Scene:
Based on suspicion and mistrust
Taught by Polonius and shared by Laertes
These two seem unworthy compared to
Hamlet’s loyal affection

9. Character Contrasts: Hamlet contrasts Laertes
Gertrude contrasts Ophelia: while Gertrude is truly fickle, Ophelia is not

10. Irony and Appearances:
Ophelia will, however, appear fickle to Hamlet when she tries to obey her father’s command to break it off with Hamlet.
She is simply trying to do what is expected of her.