Volu m e II - Purdue University Calumet

of Ophelia’s. Underneath the mattress, drawers provide storage for mementos. At this time in the play,
the mementos are for Ophelia’s eyes only and therefore they must remain hidden. When Laertes enters the
room, he gives Ophelia a word of advice. Then the siblings begin chasing each other around, acting much
like children. Ophelia sits down on her bed and Laertes is nearby. She tells him to follow his own advice
by saying, “Do not, as some ungracious pastors do, / Show me the steep and thorny way to heaven /
Whiles…/ Himself the primrose path of dalliance treads / And recks not his own rede” (Hamlet 1.3.46-
50). This statement requires a great deal of thought and demands a certain degree of respect from Laertes.
A stereotypical woman of the time would not give such a request to an older male. However, Ophelia is
not stereotypical and does not see a need to follow society’s standards. After hugging Laertes, Ophelia
quickly attempts to hide a book which appears to have something to do with Hamlet’s affection. When
Polonius enters, Ophelia playfully pushes Laertes and runs to hug her father. She then sits back down next
to her brother. Polonius gives his son advice about handling himself in France with a hug to follow. While
father and son are embracing one another, Ophelia runs over and throws her arms around them, much like
a young child would do. Laertes is then ready to leave. He reminds Ophelia not to fall for Hamlet’s love
just before exiting the stage. With him gone, Ophelia and Polonius are left as the only two on stage. They
go over to the piano where they play a duet. This duet suggests that they have a very close relationship.
Neither one has music of any kind, but both know exactly what to play. When they finally stand, Polonius
begins questioning Ophelia on how Hamlet is treating her. She answers him in a loving tone of voice and
continues to move toward him. They clasp each other’s hands and are not afraid to be near each other.
After Polonius tells Ophelia to stay away from Hamlet, she calmly says, “I shall obey my lord” (Hamlet
1.3.143). In doing so, her tone for her father is respectful. This tone, given to Ophelia by Noble, is unlike
that of many other versions of the character. For example, Zeffirelli’s Ophelia spoke the same words with a
hint of resistance (Hamlet). At the end of this scene, father and daughter walk off stage, hand-in-hand
(Noble).
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