Act 1, Scene 3

Money: Advice from Polonius

• “Costly thy habit as thy purse can buy, But not expressed in fancy”

• “Rich, not gaudy”

• “Neither a borrower nor a lender be”

• “Loan of loses both itself and friend”

• “Borrowing dulls the edge of husbandry”

Appearance

“They in France of the best rank and station Are of a most select and generous chief in that” - Don’t dress like you’re better than you truly are

Polonius

Controlling, over-protective, level headed, educated, thoughtful, caring, experienced, wise, wordly

“If with too credent ear you list his songs/or lose your heart, or chaste treasure open” - Laertes

Cruelly emphasises sister’s naivety, using language that suggests ignorance

Assumes Ophelia is a virgin

“You yourself/have of your audience been most free and boutentous” - Polonius

Hamlet gives no time to her

Talks about marrying Ophelia but won’t actually go through with it

“Affection? Pooh, you speak like a green girl” - Polonius

Ophelia knows nothing. Inexperienced (virgin) and naive

“Green girl” = new branch, fresh

“Girl” = belittle and childish

“You have ta’en these tenders for true pay/which are not sterling”

Love and women are transactional

She’s worth more than what he can offer