- Laertes is talking to his sister Ophelia, warning her to be wary of Hamlet since his duties are to the state, not to her
- Ophelia is just a young girl in love but Hamlet is the heir to the throne and has more important matters to deal with
- But in Laertes's warning, he himself is a hypocrite because he's not being careful
- Polonius enters to give advice to Laertes about his trip abroad and to talk to Ophelia about Hamlet; then Laertes leaves
- Polonius warns Ophelia about Hamlet like Laertes does, says not to think too much about Hamlet, pay no attention to his weird actions
- Polonius tries to instill values of independence, thinking before speaking, loyalty and honor, quality over quantity; but Polonius lacks a few morals himself
Scene 4 and 5:
- Hamlet is talking with Horatio and Marcellus late at night when King Hamlet's ghost visits again
- A classic line: "Something is wrong in the state of Denmark." whenever something is wrong
- It is revealed that Claudius seduced Gertrude, leaving King Hamlet to let Claudius kill him
- King Hamlet is in purgatory because he wasn't allowed his last rights or atonement; he hasn't repented for his sins
- It's not up to Prince Hamlet to punish Gertrude; she'll get her own comeuppance through her guilt, but it is his duty to avenge his father and kill Claudius
- "I have sworn't."- Hamlet, resolving to kill Claudius, putting immense weight on his shoulders, large obligation
- He's trying to be everything that everyone wants him to be: an obedient son to Gertrude and Claudius, a ready, dutiful Prince, an avenger to his deceased father
- Ghost leaves. "There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophy." -Hamlet; meaning swear to never reveal the truth
- "The times is out of joint; O cursed spite that ever I was born to set it right" -Hamlet; he is battered by anger
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