Reread Polonius's "farewell speech" to Laertes in Act I, Scene iii of Hamlet and then interpret, thought by thought, this "fathe

Question

11 days ago

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Reread Polonius's "farewell speech" to Laertes in Act I, Scene iii of Hamlet and then interpret, thought by thought, this "fathe

rly advice" to a son returning to college. You need not write a paragraph; instead, use complete sentences to make a numbered list of your interpretation of each thought as it occurs in the text. There are eleven proverb-like thoughts in this speech.
Give thy thoughts no tongue,
Nor any unproportioned thought his act.
Be thou familiar, but by no means vulgar.
Those friends thou hast, and their adoption tried,
Grapple them to thy soul with hoops of steel;
But do not dull thy palm with entertainment
Of each new-hatch'd, unfledged comrade. Beware
Of entrance to a quarrel, but being in,
Bear't that the opposed may beware of thee.
Give every man thy ear, but few thy voice;
Take each man's censure, but reserve thy judgment.
Costly thy habit as thy purse can buy,
But not express'd in fancy; rich, not gaudy;
For the apparel oft proclaims the man,
And they in France of the best rank and station
Are of a most select and generous chief in that.
Neither a borrower nor a lender be;
For loan oft loses both itself and friend,
And borrowing dulls the edge of husbandry.
This above all: to thine ownself be true,
And it must follow, as the night the day,
Thou canst not then be false to any man.

English

1 answer:

Naddika [2.5K] · Answer 1 · 2026-02-22T05:45:00+03:00

Answer:

Below is the breakdown of Polonius's "farewell address" to Laertes:

"Consider it in this manner. As a young man transitions into adulthood, it's not just physical growth—his duties and role expand as well. While he may currently hold affection for you and possess good intentions, remain cautious.

Keep in mind his royal lineage; his personal desires are secondary—he is bound by societal duties. Unlike ordinary people, he cannot make singular choices; his actions influence the entire realm. His decisions must align with the nation's expectations.

Thus, if he professes love for you, be perceptive enough to realize that his words carry weight only as far as the state of Denmark permits.

Moreover, consider how disgraceful it would be to succumb to his flattery and hand over your valued possessions to him. Be wary, Ophelia. Maintain control over your affection, and avoid becoming an object of his desire.

Revealing your beauty to the nighttime moon is already precarious—you don't need to expose yourself to him. Even virtuous women can acquire a tarnished reputation. Worms can destroy blooms before they blossom. Young sprouts are particularly vulnerable to decay. So proceed with caution. Let fear be your safeguard, as youths often lose self-discipline even without external influences."

Explanation: