Discussion Question #4

Both Laertes and Polonius object to Ophelia's relationship with Hamlet because they feel that Hamlet does not have time for love at the moment. He just lost his father and now has to take over the throne as the King of Denmark. Laertes and Polonius don't want Ophelia to be in a relationship that she will ultimately regret. In act I, scene iii, Laertes and Polonius try to break Ophelia and Hamet up and thus, act as somewhat of a fatherly towards Ophelia by trying to protect her from Hamlet. Polonius and Laertes believe that the social class that Ophelia belongs to is not quite mature enough for that of Hamlet's. Thus they feel that Ophelia does not belong with Hamlet.