Act 1: Ophelia

In act 1 scene 3, we are introduced to the character Ophelia. The first we see of her is her speaking of her (what she thought was mutual) love for Hamlet. Although she believes she is in love, she is told both by her brother Laertes and her father  Polonius. It begins with Laertes giving Ophelia final advice as he leaves.

Laertes:

For Hamlet and the trifling of his favor,

Hold it a fashion and a toy in blood,

A violet in the youth of primy nature,

Forward, not permanent, sweet, not lasting,

The perfume and suppliance of a minute.

No more.

Ophelia:

No more but so?

Laertes:

Think it no more.

(1.3.5-12)

This demonstrates that Ophelia is beginning to question her feelings for Hamlet because of the things Laertes is saying. Towards the end of the conversation, as Laertes is leaving, Ophelia says, "I shall the effect of this good lesson keep as watchman to my heart" (1.3.45). She demonstrates that she put some thought into the warning her brother gave. Her father shortly after came from a similar stand point, warning Ophelia of Hamlet's lack of serious love for her. She responded to him in saying "I do not know, my lord, what I should think" (1.3.104). Overall, both of these passages shoe that Ophelia has strong feelings for Hamlet that even with her brother and father telling her to stray from him, she still remains confused and unsure on what to do.