Hire's Hamlet Log 1:3

Act 1, scene 3


Everyone seems so concerned about Ophelia and Hamlet’s relationship…why? How serious are they really? What is a tender really? Has Hamlet like played/used other women before? Why does he have such a bad reputation with women? Check out the diction in this section… Polonius is known for his use of language. This relationship between Hamlet and Ophelia is highly questioned and debated…and has a lot to do with the rest of the play and the events that ensue… Are these two in love or just smitten or like messin around or like hangin out…hmm. What do YOU think and WHY?

The relationship between Polonius and Ophelia is freaky. Can you imagine having a conversation like this with your father!? Awkward City. Do you think she’s really going to obey him and not talk to Hamlet anymore? Hmmm…does Polonius scare her that easily/badly? Are her last words to him sarcastic or serious?


This would be a hard scene to stage because there is a lot of dialogue and not a lot of suggested movement…I envision Polonius pacing around Ophelia who stands almost completely still because she is just baffled that she is actually having this conversation. Polonius is a protective father…so I see him kinda getting in Ophelia’s face a bit perhaps. Or like taking her by the shoulders and really looking her straight in the eye. Polonius is like that wise father…who thinks he’s wise and is imparting all of his wisdom on his naïve girl…who knows how naïve Ophelia really is… I can see him looking out into the audience a lot…identifying/connecting with them like they know his advice rings true.