Hamlet 1.3 & 1.4

1. Laertes tells Ophelia not to completely trust what Hamlet tells her. He warns her that, while Hamlet may mean what he says now, there could come a time in the future when he has to make a sacrifice. Laertes' advice contrasts that of his father because, rather than trying to make himself look good, Laertes is trying to keep his sister from getting hurt.

2. This quote fits into the idea of women losing their virginity before they are married and there for becoming worthless. In this case, Ophelia is the flower that could potentially be decayed by the canker (Hamlet). The quote also reinforces and foreshadows to the theme of the end of mankind.

3. Ophelia uses the analogy of pastors preaching about heaven while they are going against what they say is right. What she means is that Laertes shouldn't be giving her such advice when she knows what he is doing in France (bars and brothels, etc.)

4. a.) don't say anything if it isn't what you think and don't act on something if you haven't thought it out.
b.) don't get into fights, but if you do, use the other guy's fear to your advantage
c.) Listen to everyone, but don't talk too much
d.) Don't loan out things to others or borrow from them
e.) Don't be too judgmental, but take judgment from others.

5. In lines 105-109, Polonius is playing off the word "tender." What he is telling Ophelia is she thinks of Hamlet's words as little words of endearment. Polonius views them as payment (Hamlet will say anything to get her into bed) and is telling Ophelia that she should as well. He criticizes her for taking such small "tenders" that could be changed at a moment's notice.

6. Polonius compares the attraction of Hamlet to small fires that create light without the heat. "These blazes...extinct in both" helps the reader to better understand how Polonius feels. He thinks if Ophelia falls for Hamlet and loses her virginity, then his reputation will also be ruined because of his status as her father.

7. Polonius commands Ophelia to stay away from Hamlet and not fall in love with him. He feels that her falling in love with Hamlet and losing her virginity reflects on him and he doesn't want anything to get in the way of his plans. This contrasts with his later plans to get his daughter married to Hamlet since he's mad.

8. In lines 13-38, Hamlet is making fun of King Claudius, who is not his favorite person. He tells Horatio of the embarrassment of the king making toasts and shooting off canons as a reason for being drunk. It is suggested that the drunken leader is the reason for the decaying society of Denmark.

9. Horatio may be right in not wanting Hamlet to follow the ghost. He thinks that the ghost is an evil spirit that will lead him off of a cliff or cause him to drown. It is possible that the ghost is a demon that has come to earth to cause the downfall of Denmark.

10. Hamlet commands the guards to let him go follow the ghost. He also tells them that he will kill them if they follow him. This may reinforce the idea that the ghost will only talk to Hamlet and not anyone else.