Passionate Discourse (Drama): Activity 1.3 (Annotation)

Here is an annotation for Act One, scene three of Shakespeare's Hamlet.

*NOTE: Due to formatting issues, it may be difficult to read this post. If this is the case, here is a copy of the Word document.*

Hamlet: Act One, Scene Three: Annotation

Original Text	Annotations
A room in Polonius' house. Enter LAERTES and OPHELIA LAERTES     My 1necessaries are embark'd: farewell:     And, sister, as the winds give benefit     And 2convoy is assistant, do not sleep,     But let me hear from you. OPHELIA     Do you doubt that? LAERTES     For Hamlet and the trifling of his favour,     Hold it a fashion and a toy in blood,     [A violet in the youth of primy nature,]     Forward, not permanent, sweet, not lasting,     The perfume and suppliance of a minute; No more.	The setting in which the scene is taking place 1 This indicates that Laertes is leaving 2 Convoy could be making reference to a group of people on vessel; assistant could mean that the ship could be accessible. [Prime normally means “early” or “first”, in this case it can refer to early days of the violet’s (a flower) life] These words describe a scent (one of the 5 senses)
OPHELIA     No more but so? LAERTES     Think it no more;    3[For nature, crescent, does not grow alone     In thews and bulk, but, as this temple waxes,     The inward service of the mind and soul     Grows wide withal]. 4[Perhaps he loves you now,     And now no soil nor cautel doth besmirch     The virtue of his will: but you must fear,]     His greatness weigh'd, his will is not his own;     5[For he himself is subject to his birth:     He may not, as unvalued persons do,     Carve for himself; for on his choice depends     6[The safety and health of this whole state;     And therefore must his choice be circumscribed     Unto the voice and yielding of that body     Whereof he is the head. Then if he says he loves you,     It fits your wisdom so far to believe it]     7[As he in his particular act and place     May give his saying deed; which is no further     Than the main voice of Denmark goes withal.]     8[Then weigh what loss your honour may sustain,     If with too credent ear you list his songs,     Or lose your heart, or your chaste treasure open     To his unmaster'd importunity.]     9[Fear it, Ophelia, fear it, my dear sister,     And keep you in the rear of your affection,     Out of the shot and danger of desire.]     The chariest maid is prodigal enough,     If she unmask her beauty to the moon:     Virtue itself 'scapes not calumnious strokes:     The canker galls the infants of the spring,     Too oft before their buttons be disclosed,     10[And in the morn and liquid dew of youth     Contagious blastments are most imminent.     Be wary then; best safety lies in fear:     Youth to itself rebels, though none else near.]	3A reference to nature. This phrase could mean that there are numerous characteristics that make up nature, not just one. In this case, it is most likely symbolizing the fact that from when going from youth to adulthood, one doesn’t only grow physically, his morals grow as well. This is inferred due to the fact that he appears to be talking about Hamlet (who is a man) 4 Laertus is saying to Ophelia that Hamlet will not love her forever. And that he has malicious intentions. This is an indirect statement relating to Hamlet’s character by using a metaphor to describe him as being malicious. 5Saying that because Hamlet is a member of the royal family, his intents regarding her don’t matter. He is ruled by his noble family.  This is a direct reference to the fact that Hamlet is influenced by royalty, which changes his character and influences his thoughts/actions. 6He can’t make choices for himself because the whole country depends on the choices he makes. His choice has to be what the country wants, not what he truly wants. 7If he says he loves her she should be smart enough to realize that his words only mean as much as the state of Denmark allows them to mean. 8Saying that she would be foolish to give in to Hamlet’s seductiveness and give up her “treasure” (her morals and most likely her virginity) to him. 9He is telling Ophelia to be careful and to keep her love for Hamlet under control, and don’t let herself become a target of his lust. 10The fear that Laertus is inflicting upon her will keep her safe. People (especially people of young age) lose their self-control even without any influence from others. In other words, he is warning her to stay away from Hamlet and to fear him and his intentions. Mood words that indicate that the mood in this part of the scene is intense and serious (based on the fact that he is telling Ophelia to “fear it”)
OPHELIA     11I shall the effect of this good lesson keep,     12As 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. LAERTES     13O, fear me not.     I stay too long: but here my father comes.     Enter POLONIUS     14A double blessing is a double grace,     Occasion smiles upon a second leave.	11Ophelia is saying that she’ll keep his advice close to her heart. 12I didn’t really know what this meant. The only thing I got out of this was “ungracious pastor” which could have something to do with a priest. 13Laertus is telling her not to be scared of such thing. At this point he sees his father coming 14 “Double grace” could mean that he was given grace twice. Grace, in this context could mean that he was wished “good luck” or blessed.
LORD POLONIUS     15Yet here, Laertes! aboard, aboard, for shame!     The wind sits in the shoulder of your [sail],     And you are stay'd for. 16There; my blessing with thee!     And these few precepts in thy memory     17See thou character. Give thy thoughts no tongue,     Nor any unproportioned thought his act.     18Be thou familiar, but by no means vulgar.     19Those friends thou hast, and their adoption tried,     20Grapple them to thy soul with hoops of steel;     But do not 20adull thy palm with entertainment     21Of each new-hatch'd, unfledged comrade. Beware     Of entrance to a quarrel, but being in,     Bear't that the opposed may beware of thee.     22Give every man thy ear, but few thy voice;     23Take each man's censure, but reserve thy judgment.     24Costly thy habit as thy purse can buy,     But not express'd in fancy; rich, not gaudy;     For the apparel oft proclaims the man,     And they in 24aFrance of the best rank and station     Are of a most select and generous chief in that.     25Neither a borrower nor a lender be;     For loan oft loses both itself and friend,     And borrowing dulls the edge of husbandry.     26This 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.     27Farewell: my blessing season this in thee!	15Polonius is telling Laertus to hurry up and get on the boat. The fact that he was going on a boat was supported by the word [“sail”], which is a part of a boat. 16He is wishing Laertus good luck again 17 This is a long list of advice that Polonius gives Laertus: ·         17Don’t say your thoughts out loud. Don’t act to quick. ·         18Be friendly to people but don’t over exaggerate your friendliness. ·         19Once trust has been established with someone, hold onto them and keep them close. ·         20However don’t waste your time greeting and shaking hands (20a”dull thy palm”) ·         21Don‘t be quick to pick a fight, but once you’re in one, hold your own. ·         22Listen to what other people have to say, but on that note only talk to a few of them. ·         23Listen to every person’s opinion, but reserve your judgment until the right time comes. ·         24 In relation to the fact that he is travelling to 24aFrance, he should spend as much money as possible on clothes, to make him look wealthy. ·         25Don’t borrow money from people and don’t lend it to anyone. It results in the loss of friendship as well as the money you earned. ·         26Finally, be true to yourself. That way you will not appear false to anyone. 27 He is saying goodbye and hopes that his blessing will help him on his journey. When Polonius comes into the scene, the mood lightens up a little bit, but it still has remnants of sternness from Laertus’ conversation with Ophelia. The punctuation used is not indicative of seriousness, but in fact merriment. He is not yelling at Laertus in anger, but rather joy.
LAERTES     28Most humbly do I take my leave, my lord. LORD POLONIUS     The time invites you; go; your servants tend. LAERTES     29Farewell, Ophelia; and remember well     What I have said to you. OPHELIA     30'Tis in my memory lock'd,     And you yourself shall keep the key of it. LAERTES   31 Farewell.     Exit LORD POLONIUS     What is't, Ophelia, be hath said to you? OPHELIA     So please you, something touching the Lord Hamlet.	28Laertus is saying goodbye to his father. His father says back to him that his “servants” are waiting. Who these servants may be, I haven’t the slightest idea. 29He says goodbye to Ophelia and reiterates to her to follow his advice. 30By this, Ophelia means that his memory is locked in her head and that he has the key. The mood in this part of the scene is joyful and less serious than it was before 31Laertes leaves. Polonius is curious as to what Laertus said to her. She says that it doesn’t matter. He pesters her to tell him. All she says is that it had something to do with Hamlet.
LORD POLONIUS     32Marry, well bethought:     'Tis told me, he hath very oft of late     Given private time to you; and you yourself     Have of your audience been most free and bounteous:     If it be so, as so 'tis put on me,     And that in way of caution, I must tell you,     You do not understand yourself so clearly     As it behoves my daughter and your honour.     What is between you? give me up the truth. OPHELIA     33He hath, my lord, of late made many tenders     Of his affection to me. LORD POLONIUS     34Affection! pooh! you speak like a green girl,     Unsifted in such perilous circumstance.     Do you believe his tenders, as you call them? OPHELIA     I do not know, my lord, what I should think. LORD POLONIUS     35Marry, I'll teach you: think yourself a baby;     That you have ta'en these tenders for true pay,     Which are not sterling. Tender yourself more dearly;     Or--not to crack the wind of the poor phrase,     Running it thus--you'll tender me a fool. OPHELIA     36My lord, he hath importuned me with love     In honourable fashion. LORD POLONIUS     37Ay, fashion you may call it; go to, go to. OPHELIA     38And hath given countenance to his speech, my lord,     With almost all the 38aholy vows of heaven.	32In summary, he is basically saying that he noticed that she and Hamlet were spending quite a bit of time alone with each other. He is suggesting that she has made herself “available” to him and that from what he has heard; she is beginning to lose self-control. That she is not the same daughter he once knew. Getting frustrated, he pressures her to tell him the truth. 33She tells him that Hamlet’s love for her is growing stronger. 34He says that Hamlet’s so-called “affection” for her is fake. At this point, she is confused by what he means. 35He tells her that she is a fool to think that he actually loves her. And that his so-called offerings are fake and that he will never deliver on his promises. He wants her to have respect for herself and not to rely on this relationship with Hamlet. 36She is in denial about this and tells him that Hamlet promised her these intentions. She says that Hamlet truly loves her, in a supposed “honourable fashion” 37Polonius displays how much he actually believes this statement (coming across as sarcastic) 38Ophelia, detecting this sarcasm from him responds by saying that he truly promised her his vows and that he swore to God that he would keep them (referring to the 38a”holy vows of heaven”). In today’s day, by saying “I swear to God” it forms an unbreakable promise, implying that if they do break it, that that person will go to Hell (by defying God).
LORD POLONIUS     39Ay, springes to catch woodcocks. I do know,     When the blood burns, how prodigal the soul     Lends the tongue vows: these blazes, daughter,     Giving more light than heat, extinct in both,     Even in their promise, as it is a-making,     You must not take for fire. From this time     Be somewhat scanter of your maiden presence;     Set your entreatments at a higher rate     Than a command to parley. For Lord Hamlet,     Believe so much in him, that he is 39ayoung     And with a larger tether may he walk     Than may be given you: in few, Ophelia,     Do not believe his vows; for they are brokers,     Not of that dye which their investments show,     But mere implorators of unholy suits,     Breathing like sanctified and pious bawds,     The better to beguile. This is for all:     I would not, in plain terms, from this time forth,     Have you so slander any moment leisure,     As to give words or talk with the Lord Hamlet.     Look to't, I charge you: come your ways. OPHELIA    40 I shall obey, my lord.     Exeunt	39This whole speech was quite confusing. From what I got out of it was that he thinks that if she believes these words, she is just falling into a ploy set up by Hamlet. This could hypothetically represent Ophelia’s love for Hamlet and how Hamlet’s promise is a bucket of water that extinguishes the fire that is her heart. If she continues to be with Hamlet, she will only end up getting hurt. She should stray away from Hamlet if she knows what’s good for her. In other words, that she should listen to him and Laertus. 39aThis is a direct statement relating to Hamlet’s character, describing his age as being young These are vivid lines spoken by Polonius due to the fact that they display great imagery and powerful messages that are conveyed. The language and choice of words make this excerpt very intense for the reader. Indicates a reference to Purgatory and blood imagery. 40She promises to listen to his advice, as well as Laertus’. Scene ends

SUMMARY OF THE SCENE

Laertes prepares to leave. He gives advice to Ophelia, who I assume is his sister (just based on how he talks to her, paternally) that she should not trust Hamlet, stating that his love for her is fake. He explains that she is simply a ‘toy’ to him and that he is using her. He then tells her that because Hamlet is in a higher power, he can`t choose who he is going to marry (proposing reasoning behind his suspicions). Laertes stresses the fact that Ophelia should reject Hamlet before he “deflowers” her (in other words, takes her virginity). This is in order to protect her from getting hurt. Polonius comes in and offers Laertes advice on how to live in this new country he going to be living in. Laertes tells him that he has to go, and reminds Ophelia of his advice to her. She promises to follow his advice. Polonius then asks her what she and Laertes were discussing. She tells him that Laertes advised her about Hamlet and his apparent motives for being with her. Polonius intercepts with his opinion, saying that Hamlet is a strong male who wants her for only one purpose (being for sex) and that she has to reject his advances if she wants to stay unadulterated. Ophelia promises to break off her relationship with Hamlet.

Some themes that were prevalent in this scene were:

·         Imagination vs. Reality (the notion of constructed reality).

o   Situation: Ophelia’s version of the reality of the situation involving Hamlet is much different than that of Laertus and Polonius.

o   Result: Ophelia is constructing her own version of reality

o   Conclusion: This will come back to hurt her in the end.

·         Femininity [this is due to Ophelia’s point-of-view (from a woman’s perspective) on the issue of her relationship with Hamlet]

o   Situation: Polonius asks Ophelia what she was discussing with Laertes. Ophelia tells him that they were talking about Hamlet. When Polonius asks her to elaborate, she says that Hamlet has expressed his love for her. Polonius tells her that Hamlet is using her in order to have sex with her, and forbids her to talk to him.

o   Result: Polonius gave Laertes advice, but he gave Ophelia orders. 

o   Conclusion: Women are expected to obey orders from people in higher authority (a.k.a: men). This demonstrations inequality between male and female roles in society during that time.

·         Action (the fact that Laertes is worrying about Ophelia’s actions)

o   Situation: As he prepares to leave for France, Laertes warns his sister Ophelia not to fall for Hamlet, a young man whose passions will change, and a prince who must marry to preserve the “sanity and health” of the state.

o   Result: Ophelia feels as though Laertus is making all of this up because

o   Conclusion: It causes her to become torn between her morals and her actions relating to Hamlet’s promises of love. This will eventually lead to her fate.