Hamlet #2: Contrasting Family Dynamics

In Act I, scene iii the reader witnesses an interaction between Laertes' family. Scene ii was partly an interaction between Hamlet's family an d comparing and contrasting these two family interactions highlights the differing family dynamics. Both men: Hamlet and Laertes, are young and going to school and, they area both back in Denmark due to the transition in power. The familial interactions that the reader witnesses in scenes ii and iii relate to Hamlet and Laertes returning to school. Each family treats the prospect of their young man returning back to school differently; Laertes is given supportive advice by his father while King Claudius and Gertrude tell Hamlet not to return to Wittenberg. Claudius says to Hamlet, "For your intent / In going back to school in Wittenberg, / It is most retrograde to our desire, / And we beseech you, bend you to remain / here in the cheer and comfort of our eye, / Our chiefest courtier, cousin, and our son" (I. ii. 116-121), and Gertrude tells him, "Let not thy mother lose her prayers, Hamlet. / I pray thee, stay with us. Go no to Wittenberg" (I. ii. 122-123). Claudius and Gertrude do no support their son going back to school, even though that is what he wants to do, for a few plausible reasons: they want to project an image of a united family, even if they are not, and Claudius wants to make sure that Hamlet does not attempt to take the throne like Fortinbras is doing to his uncle. In stark contrast to Hamlet's parents, Polonius, father of Laertes, shows his love of his son with the advice he gives. Earlier in the text the reader saw Polonius say that although he did not at first agree with Laertes' plans to go back to school, he must support them, and now, in scene iii, he gives his son advice on returning back to school: "Give every man thy ear, but few thy voice. / Take each man's censure, but reserve thy judgement. / Costly thy habit as thy purse can buy ... For the apparel oft proclaims the man, ... This above all: to thine own self be true ... Thou canst not then be false to any man" (I. iii. 74-86). The contrast in each parents' treatment of the prospect of their sons returning to school highlights the contrasting family dynamics where Polonius loves his son and looks out for his happiness, and Claudius seems to have selfish goals and Gertrude just agrees with him rather than arguing.