Polonius and Ophelia's relationship (Hamlet) Act 1 Scene 3 A level english
After Laertes own speech, Polonius follows with his own line of argument. We understand the caution with which Ophelia again broaches the subject of Hamlet in the extended sentence, “he hath, my lord, of late made many tenders of his affection to me.” After this revelation, which we would be inclined to believe comes as no shock to Polonius from his earlier claims that it is “tis told,” a use of the passive voice which paired with “tis put on me,” suggests a network of rumours and spying that portrays a high probability that Polonius already knows much about this ‘affair’.
We understand Ophelia’s caution then, but as the audience it is strange to see a daughter address her father repeatedly as “my lord”, it underlines again to the audience what is becoming clear in the play, and the setting of Elsinore. Family relationships there seem strained, anti-personal affairs.
Nonetheless Ophelia seems right to be cautious, her father showers her with hardly disguised repetition of insults “green girl” and “baby” which underline Claudius’ derogatory views of Ophelia. The insightful “green” suggests new and fresh, young and naïve but also has connotations of the sick and the ill which to me implies that whilst Polonius views Ophelia as a “baby” he also views he as diseased with “blood (that) burns”. The contrast of this with Ophelia’s “honourable” description.
The reason for which, at this instance at least, is that Ophelia has been “most free and bounteous” with her time with Hamlet. This adjective phrase is ironically out of place. Polonius describing Ophelia’s actions as “free” in a state where the threat of invasion, spying and corruption are ever present themes is a clear juxtaposition that allows us to understand how abjectly he perceives her actions. For Polonius, his daughter’s actions put both their statuses on the line. As the chief advisor to the king the very last thing he desires to be known, or for anyone in his family to be known as, is a “fool”. However, Claudius desire to retain their status is more than just sensible, it is more an infatuation. His focus on money, and the lack of rewards she has garnered from her actions, underlines how he also views her as a “chaste treasure”. One that turns out no longer holds much gold. The frustration in Polonius’ voice, at Ophelia’s lack of focus on status, and more on true relationships, can be heard in the sibilance of the phrase “somewhat scanter of your maiden presence”. The repeated s sounds give the impression that Polonius is almost spitting these words with disgust. We can infer how maddening it is to him that whilst status to him is everything his daughter doesn’t uphold his values, when Polonius later tells Ophelia “to come your ways” I think it can be read almost as him telling her to, ‘come on act part of the family’.
At least Polonius doesn’t pretend to be deeply infatuated with his daughter, as be believes young Hamlet to do. Polonius describes Hamlet's affection as “blazes” and suggests his affection does not have enough fuel to become a true “fire”. This imagery implies hamlet has fickle “soul”. Polonius believes Hamlet’s “holy vows of heaven” are “unholy” “springs to catch woodcocks”. The clear contrast between Ophelia and her father’s views of her relationship suggests a difference of interpretation formed by both age and gender. They are set up as the innocent, trusting youth and the elder whose prejudices are well formed.
The difference between them, and their view of love, is underlined in Polonius affixation of status. He cannot believe Ophelia would intertwine with those above her without “true pay” in “sterling”. Here we have Polonius’ prejudices underlined. He cannot believe Hamlet’s love is anything more than a “fashion” soon to be swept away. To him Ophelia’s trusting makes her “tender”. The modern interpretation of which, likely coming in part from Shakespeare’s work, is fragile, ready to be eaten. Ironically accurate considering Ophelia’s upcoming demise.