Jul 25, 2008

Hamlet | Act I, Scene 3 Summary and Analysis

New Character
Ophelia: daughter to Polonius; sister to Laertes

Summary
Laertes meets Ophelia to say his farewells before returning to France. He warns her to beware of Hamlet’s trifling with her, and urges her to remain chaste. Ophelia agrees to heed his advice, while urging him to obey it as well. Polonius enters and counsels Laertes, who departs. Polonius also warns Ophelia of Hamlet’s amorous intentions, and finally instructs her to avoid him altogether. She assents.

Analysis
This scene presents tender, if somewhat humorous, dialogue between sister and...