Hamlet: Act 1, Scene 3 – Analysis
Scene Profile – At a Glance
- Location: A room in Polonius's house.
- Key Characters: Laertes, Ophelia, and Polonius.
- The Core Conflict: Ophelia's romantic relationship with Hamlet is systematically dismantled by the overbearing, patriarchal demands of her brother and father, stripping her of all personal agency.
- Famous Quote:
"This above all: to thine ownself be true,
And it must follow, as the night the day,
Thou canst not then be false to any man."
Scene Summary
Laertes is preparing to board a ship to return to his studies in France. Before he leaves, he takes a moment to counsel his sister, Ophelia, regarding her blooming relationship with Prince Hamlet. Laertes warns her that Hamlet's affections are merely a temporary phase of youth. He argues that because Hamlet is royalty, his marriage will be dictated by the political needs of the state, not by his own heart. Laertes strongly cautions Ophelia to protect her chastity and reputation, warning her that giving in to Hamlet's advances could ruin her life. Ophelia promises to heed his advice but playfully rebukes him, telling him not to act like a hypocritical priest who preaches purity while secretly engaging in reckless behaviour himself.
Their father, the Lord Chamberlain Polonius, interrupts them to hurry Laertes onto his ship. Before his son departs, Polonius delivers a long, famous list of paternal advice regarding how to behave in Paris, focusing on outward appearance, financial prudence, and loyalty. Once Laertes leaves, Polonius turns his attention to Ophelia. He interrogates her about her relationship with the Prince. When Ophelia admits that Hamlet has made "many tenders of his affection," Polonius ruthlessly mocks her innocence. He commands her to completely sever all contact with Hamlet, forbidding her from spending any time with him or receiving his letters. Stripped of her own voice and desires, Ophelia quietly submits to her father's authority.
The Royal Burden
Laertes's warning to Ophelia introduces a critical political reality of the Renaissance world: the personal lives of royalty are entirely subservient to the state.
Original
His greatness weigh'd, 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...
Shakespeare Retold (Modern Verse)
He’s royalty: he can’t do what he likes,
For he was born into the royal family,
And he can’t, unlike normal people can,
Make choices for himself; his choice depends
Upon the better interests of the state...
Laertes makes a valid, pragmatic argument. Even if Hamlet genuinely loves Ophelia now, he cannot simply choose to marry a nobleman's daughter if it does not politically benefit Denmark. This speech establishes the claustrophobic nature of Elsinore, where political duty crushes personal happiness, a reality that will soon destroy both Hamlet and Ophelia.
The Patriarchal Cage
The interaction between Polonius and Ophelia is deeply uncomfortable. It showcases the absolute, terrifying control that Elizabethan fathers wielded over their daughters. Polonius does not ask Ophelia what she wants; he tells her what she must think.
Original
Affection! Pooh! You speak like a green girl,
Unsifted in such perilous circumstance.
Do you believe his tenders, as you call them?
Shakespeare Retold (Modern Verse)
Affection? Crap! You’re wet behind the ears, girl,
Not used to times as perilous as this.
Do you believe his ‘offers’, as you call them?
Polonius's language is aggressive and dismissive. He invalidates her feelings, calling her a naive, "green girl." He views Hamlet's vows not as genuine expressions of love, but as "springes to catch woodcocks" (traps to catch stupid birds). By forcing Ophelia to reject Hamlet, Polonius is the initial architect of her tragedy, directly setting up the heartbreak and isolation that will eventually lead to her madness.
Language and Technique
- The Aphoristic Style: Polonius's speech to Laertes is written as a string of aphorisms (short, pithy statements of conventional wisdom). While the advice sounds profound ("Give every man thy ear, but few thy voice"), it reveals Polonius as a superficial thinker who relies on rehearsed clichés rather than deep, independent thought.
- Financial Imagery: When Polonius speaks to Ophelia about love, he uses cold, financial terminology. He talks of "tenders" (offers of money), "brokers," "investments," and telling her to set her "entreatments at a higher rate." This completely strips the romance from their relationship, showing that Polonius views his daughter's chastity merely as a valuable political commodity.
- The Passive Voice of Ophelia: In stark contrast to the lengthy, commanding speeches of her father and brother, Ophelia's lines are incredibly short and submissive. She frequently replies with "I do not know, my lord, what I should think," and finally, "I shall obey, my lord." Shakespeare uses her stunted syntax to visually and audibly demonstrate her total lack of autonomy.
Key Quotes from Act 1, Scene 3
Quote 1
This above all: to thine ownself be true,
And it must follow, as the night the day,
Thou canst not then be false to any man.
Shakespeare Retold (Modern Verse)
But most of all: be true unto yourself,
And if you do, as night will follow day,
You can’t be false to any other man.
Quote Analysis: Ironically, the most famous piece of wisdom in the play is spoken by its most foolish and deceptive character. While Polonius tells his son to be authentic, Polonius himself survives purely on deception, spying, and sycophancy. The quote highlights the massive gap between the noble ideals spoken in Elsinore and the corrupt reality of how its courtiers actually behave.
Quote 2
Neither a borrower nor a lender be;
For loan oft loses both itself and friend,
And borrowing dulls the edge of husbandry.
Shakespeare Retold (Modern Verse)
And never lend or borrow any money,
For you may lose the money and a friend,
And borrowing can blunt effectiveness.
Quote Analysis: Another of Polonius's famous maxims, warning Laertes to protect his financial independence. It reflects the pragmatic, deeply cynical worldview of the Lord Chamberlain, who prioritises self-preservation and the avoidance of risk above all else.
Quote 3
I shall the effect of this good lesson keep,
As watchman to my heart. But, good my brother,
Do not, as some ungracious pastors do,
Show me the steep and thorny way to heaven,
Whiles, like a puff'd and reckless libertine,
Himself the primrose path of dalliance treads
And recks not his own rede.
Shakespeare Retold (Modern Verse)
I understand. I’ll keep your words of wisdom
Close to my heart. But listen up, dear brother,
Don’t be like one of those immoral priests
Who preach the virtuous path to get to heaven,
Whilst all the while philandering and letching
Along a path of sleaziness where you
Don’t practise what you preach.
Quote Analysis: This is one of the few moments Ophelia shows genuine spark and intelligence. She playfully warns her brother against the double standard of Elizabethan morality, where women are expected to remain perfectly chaste while young men (the "reckless libertines") are allowed to engage in wild, sinful behaviour abroad.
Study Questions and Analysis
Why does Laertes warn Ophelia against Hamlet's love? +
Laertes warns her that even if Hamlet's love is currently genuine, as Prince of Denmark, he will not have the freedom to marry her. He fears that if Ophelia gives up her "chaste treasure" to Hamlet, she will be ruined when Hamlet inevitably abandons her for a royal, political marriage.
How does Ophelia respond to Laertes's advice? +
She accepts his warning gracefully but turns it back on him. She tells him to practice what he preaches and not act like a hypocrite who tells her to be pure while he goes off to France to indulge in wild, sinful pleasures on the "primrose path."
What is the nature of Polonius's advice to Laertes? +
Polonius's advice is entirely focused on outward appearance and self-preservation. He tells Laertes how to dress well (but not gaudily), how to avoid fights (but win them if he gets in one), and how to manage his money. It is highly pragmatic, cynical advice that lacks deep moral or spiritual foundation.
How does Polonius view Ophelia's relationship with Hamlet? +
He views it as a dangerous liability. He thinks Ophelia is a foolish, naive girl who is easily manipulated. He completely dismisses Hamlet's vows of love as cynical lies designed purely to seduce her, believing that young men only make such promises when their "blood burns."
Why does Polonius use financial metaphors when speaking to Ophelia? +
By using words like "tenders," "rate," and "brokers," Polonius reduces Ophelia's romantic and emotional life to a financial transaction. This highlights the reality of the Elizabethan court: a noblewoman's virginity and reputation were viewed as valuable assets owned by her father, to be traded for political gain.
What does Polonius command Ophelia to do? +
He strictly forbids her from seeing Hamlet. He commands her to "slander any moment leisure" with the Prince, telling her to refuse his letters and block his visits. He demands total obedience, cutting off the only genuine source of love in Ophelia's life.
How does this scene set up Ophelia's tragic arc? +
It establishes her absolute lack of agency. By forcing her to reject Hamlet, Polonius triggers the sudden change in their relationship that confuses and angers the Prince. When Hamlet later abuses her and Polonius is murdered, Ophelia has no internal resilience left, leading directly to her mental collapse.
