Laertes 'Scene Four And Five Questions On Hamlet'
Hamlet: Scene Three, Four and Five Questions
A.P English
Madeleine Livingston
11/11/09
1. Laertes warns his sister, Ophelia to regard Hamlet with only innocent flirting and not any permanent affection. He knows that Hamlet choice for love does not depend upon his own will. He tells Ophelia that she is too far below his birth for him too truly love him honestly. He does not want her to damage the beauty of her budding youth, by giving it away. He believes Ophelia to only be the brief subject of a tempestuous and pleading love. He claims to know that Hamlet will not marry her because his marriage depends on what is best for the state. Laertes does make valid points and his advice is to protect his sister, both from the pang of lost love …show more content…
Polonius starts his speech by scolding Laertes for not having left yet. The basis of Polonius’ advice is “all in moderation.” He tells Laertes to not speak every thought that comes into his head and to weigh the consequences of his every action. He advises Laertes to be cordial to everyone he meets, but to never overdo it. He also says for Laertes to keep his old friends and to not be quick in making new friends. Next, Polonius tells Laertes to once again, not take haste. This time however, it is in reference to fights. Yet, Polonius does tell Laertes that once he is in a fight, he must fight to win. Polonius’ next two points are to instill polite reserve in Laertes’ composure. He tells Laertes to always listen to others’ problems, but to rarely voice his own. He gives advice to Laertes to accept the opinions of others, but to never share his own. Polonius tells Laertes to dress richly, but not gaudily because that is what is fashionable in France. He tells Laertes to neither “a borrower nor a lender be” because that would imply that he is living beyond his means. This process also leads many to lose money and friends. Polonius’ most important advice, however is for Laertes to be true to himself and never give off a false impression. Polonius’ advice demonstrates his excellent ability as a father and his belief in moderation, reticence and reserve (pg. 23-24, l. 60-85). 3. Polonius and Laertes have slightly different reasons for opposing Ophelia’s interest in Hamlet. …show more content…
Hamlet’s initial response is to question the ghost’s nature as being either good or evil. The fight between good and evil is a central theme of this play. Hamlet calls the ghost by his proper titles and questions as to why the ghost has come back. Hamlet is unsure whether the ghost is actually that of his father, yet he follows because he cares not for his life. He is not afraid and promises to make a ghost of Horatio and Marcellus if they prevent him from following the ghost. Horatio fears that the ghost is evil and is luring him to his death. The line that states Hamlet’s true feelings is “I do not set my life at a pin’s fee/ And for my soul, what can it do to that/ Being a thing as immortal as itself?” The line reiterates Hamlet’s desire to commit suicide out of despair earlier in Act I (pgs. 29,
A.P English
Madeleine Livingston
11/11/09
1. Laertes warns his sister, Ophelia to regard Hamlet with only innocent flirting and not any permanent affection. He knows that Hamlet choice for love does not depend upon his own will. He tells Ophelia that she is too far below his birth for him too truly love him honestly. He does not want her to damage the beauty of her budding youth, by giving it away. He believes Ophelia to only be the brief subject of a tempestuous and pleading love. He claims to know that Hamlet will not marry her because his marriage depends on what is best for the state. Laertes does make valid points and his advice is to protect his sister, both from the pang of lost love …show more content…
Polonius starts his speech by scolding Laertes for not having left yet. The basis of Polonius’ advice is “all in moderation.” He tells Laertes to not speak every thought that comes into his head and to weigh the consequences of his every action. He advises Laertes to be cordial to everyone he meets, but to never overdo it. He also says for Laertes to keep his old friends and to not be quick in making new friends. Next, Polonius tells Laertes to once again, not take haste. This time however, it is in reference to fights. Yet, Polonius does tell Laertes that once he is in a fight, he must fight to win. Polonius’ next two points are to instill polite reserve in Laertes’ composure. He tells Laertes to always listen to others’ problems, but to rarely voice his own. He gives advice to Laertes to accept the opinions of others, but to never share his own. Polonius tells Laertes to dress richly, but not gaudily because that is what is fashionable in France. He tells Laertes to neither “a borrower nor a lender be” because that would imply that he is living beyond his means. This process also leads many to lose money and friends. Polonius’ most important advice, however is for Laertes to be true to himself and never give off a false impression. Polonius’ advice demonstrates his excellent ability as a father and his belief in moderation, reticence and reserve (pg. 23-24, l. 60-85). 3. Polonius and Laertes have slightly different reasons for opposing Ophelia’s interest in Hamlet. …show more content…
Hamlet’s initial response is to question the ghost’s nature as being either good or evil. The fight between good and evil is a central theme of this play. Hamlet calls the ghost by his proper titles and questions as to why the ghost has come back. Hamlet is unsure whether the ghost is actually that of his father, yet he follows because he cares not for his life. He is not afraid and promises to make a ghost of Horatio and Marcellus if they prevent him from following the ghost. Horatio fears that the ghost is evil and is luring him to his death. The line that states Hamlet’s true feelings is “I do not set my life at a pin’s fee/ And for my soul, what can it do to that/ Being a thing as immortal as itself?” The line reiterates Hamlet’s desire to commit suicide out of despair earlier in Act I (pgs. 29,