20;Affection? Pooh! You speak like a green girl . . .” (1.3.102). Polionus’ quick judgment of their love for each other has caused him to speak this way. He claims that their love is unreal and he belittles her by saying she talks like she is immature and does not know anything. He states, “Think yourself a baby that you have ta’en these tenders for true pay which are not sterling” (1.3.106-108). Polonius tries to convince Ophelia not to accept love like any baby would, because babies are unaware of what kind of love they are being presented. Polonius is not interested in what Ophelia wants, “Tender yourself more dearly, or—not to crack the wind of the poor phrase, running it thus—you’ll tender me a fool” (1.3.108-110). He believes she should offer herself more costly to someone else because he does not want to be embarrassed by their relationship. Ophelia disagrees, but he threatens her by saying, “Have you so slander any moment leisure as to give words or talk with the Lord Hamlet. Look to’t, I charge you” (1.3.134-136). He forbids her from seeing Hamlet at all, and if she even speaks to him, Polonius will punish her. In Shakespeare A to Z, Charles Boyce states, “He bars Ophelia from any contact with Hamlet, presuming that the prince’s professions of love cannot be truthful . . .” (509). Polonius comes up with the conclusion that Hamlet’s feelings are wrong and that she cannot see him anymore. Ophelia’s obedience to Polonius’ strict ways makes her do anything that will better her father’s reputation. After learning of Hamlet’s madness over Ophelia, Polonius uses her to secretly watch Hamlet’s behavior while gaining favor from the king. Claudius and Gertrude send Hamlet’s friends, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, to determine the reason Hamlet’s acting so strange. Polonius concl...
