Advising Ophelia

Both Laertes and Polonius object to Ophelia's relationship with Hamlet because they feel Hamlet's high status and position to the state is incompatible with Ophelia's. They both claim that it would be nearly impossible for Hamlet to actually love her. Laertes is more gentle with Ophelia and offers her the typical and caring brotherly advice; however, Polonius is more stern and more brash with Ophelia in relaying caution. It is almost as if Polonius is trying to scare her into agreement. Both Laertes and Polonus seem to place women beneath men. It is interesting because status(including class and station) play big parts in their arguments. It is clear they feel no one should overstep their boundaries.