Frailty thy name is woman!

Promiscuity, an issue especially looked down upon in Elizabethan times, seems to be a problem that Ophelia is facing. While many parents are comforting to their young daughters during this period of life, Polonius does not feel this way. He's cruel and hateful to his daughter, calling her a slut by using financial language and words with double meanings hinting at prostitution. The way her father treats her drives Ophelia to end her relationship with Hamlet and shift her life. The result of cutting off his daughter’s communication with Hamlet not only isolated Ophelia, but it cut off Hamlet from the only person still talking to him. This left him isolated, lonely, and perhaps even contributed to him going mad.

In Act 1scene 3 of Hamlet, William Shakespeare writes a scene between Polonius and his daughter. While this scene does provide information about Hamlet and Ophelia's relationship, more is learned about the strained relationship between Ophelia and Polonius. The conversation is filled with financial language and double meanings hinting at prostitution. The word “tender” is used repeatedly, having many different meanings ranging from weak or immature to delicately affectionate. Polonius cautions Ophelia to "tender [herself] more dearly" (line 107) and uses financial words such as “rate”, “brokers”, and “investments”   . This can be interpreted to mean that she should value herself more, advising his daughter to be cautious, or he could be hinting at an accusation of being a whore.

Polonius’s has a disdainful attitude towards his daughter and even Hamlet hints at Ophelia being a prostitute. This might be the result of how men viewed women in that time period. Earlier in the play Hamlet remarks “frailty thy name is woman!”  In Act 2 scene 2 Hamlet says “excellent well you are a fishmonger” to Polonius (line 174). While this is another word for fisherman, it can also mean someone who sells out prostitutes, or a pimp. A multitude of words with connotations about fishing are seen throughout the play. For example, in act two scene one, Polonius is speaking to Reynaldo and he says “your bait of falsehood take this carp of truth”. All these hints at calling Ophelia a prostitute may be the result of men’s view of women, especially due to their personal experiences. Hamlet has a reason to be distrustful of women, especially since his mother entered into an incestuous relationship soon after his father’s death. This incident along with Ophelia’s sudden withdrawal due to her father’s warning may have caused him great pain and loneliness, resulting in him basically calling Ophelia a prostitute. While we do not see or hear of a reason for Polonius to be hateful towards women, his wife has not been mentioned or introduced. He may not have one, or his wife may have died, perhaps the cause of his disdain. Polonius is also extremely concerned with appearance and his obsession with reputation may be the cause of his strict expectations for his children.

The play has many situations where the issue of promiscuity among women is implied. Hamlet’s mother is scarcely mentioned without a comment about incest or betrayal, and Ophelia is looked down upon by all the men around her. Ophelia’s relationships are discussed by her brother, her father, and Hamlet all within the first two acts of the play.