When Polonius inquires of Ophelia what she had been discussing with her brother, Laertes, she tells him that they spoke about Hamlet. Polonius then states that he had heard that Hamlet had been spending some time with Ophelia. He then suggests:
... in way of caution, I must tell you,
You do not understand yourself so clearly
As it behoves my daughter and your honour.
What is between you? give me up the truth.
He tells Ophelia that she must be careful since she is not yet old enough to have even a clear understanding of herself as much as she should, being his daughter and for the protection of her honour (chastity). She is still immature and therefore naive. He demands that she provide him full details of her liaison with Hamlet.
Ophelia confesses that Hamlet had made a number of offers to her and proposed love. Polonius rejects the suggestion of Hamlet's affection with contempt and emphasizes how inexperienced Ophelia is, so much so, that she took Hamlet at his word. He asks her if she believed Hamlet's proposals and she replies that she does not know what to think.
Polonius then extends some fatherly advice to his daughter and says that she should see herself as an innocent baby who has taken Hamlet's offers as the truth. He says that she should value herself more highly or else she would create the impression that he is a fool for not having raised her properly. Clearly, the focus here is not entirely on Ophelia, but on himself.
When Ophelia tells him that Hamlet had actually made sincere promises of his love in an honourable manner, her father says that she must not talk nonsense. He uses the word 'fashion' to mean that it is something of short duration. He is implying that Hamlet is not sincere. His so-called passion for Ophelia is of a fleeting nature and will not last.
When Ophelia tries to convince her father that Hamlet's utterances were truthful since he had vowed to heaven about his sincerity, Polonius rejects this by saying that it is a scheme similar to those used to trap woodcocks, birds which are deemed idiotic. His daughter would be foolish to fall for Hamlet's trap and become ensnared. He suggests that being young, Hamlet is ablaze with passion, but it is a fire that will soon burn out. Ophelia must not see these heartfelt promises as true passion, for they die even as they are made.
Polonius advises Ophelia not to make herself so easily available to Hamlet and must therefore treasure her time and see less of him. She must place a greater value on herself and not seem so easily available. He implores her not to believe Hamlet for what he says is only to fulfill his lust (unholy suits). Hamlet's vows are not sincere and can be broken as easily as they have been made. Hamlet's promises are mere tools to mislead her. He then commands her:
This is for all:
I would not, in plain terms, from this time forth,
Have you so slander any moment leisure,
As to give words or talk with the Lord Hamlet.
Look to't, I charge you: come your ways.
Polonius is quite direct and tells Ophelia that in truth, she must not henceforth waste any moment of her free time to talk to or discuss anything with Hamlet. He therefore forbids her to have such contact with him. She must obey his instruction and behave appropriately.
It is ironic that Polonius is so strict with his daughter at this point, for later in the play he will do a complete about-turn and use his daughter to glean information from Hamlet. He will actually encourage her to lead Hamlet on and essentially spy on the young prince so that he can report the details to Claudius.
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