Act I, Scene iii

"But, good my brother,/ Do not, as some ungracious pastors do,/ Show me the steep and thorny way to heaven/ Whiles, like a puffed and reckless libertine,/ Himself the primrose 
 path of dalliance treads/ And recks not his own rede."

-Ophelia (I,iii.46-51)

This quote tells a lot about Ophelia's character. It implies that she is witty and a sharp woman. Although she is being lectured by her brother, she still responds in a way that tells the reader that she is not oblivious to things in the male dominant world around her. It foreshadows the thematic concerns of appearance versus reality, and deception. 

•  Summarize the action of the scene(s) and discuss how the scene fits into the play as a whole.

This scene focuses on Laertes and Polonius giving Ophelia their opinion on her relationship. Laertes believes that it is an impossible relationship because of their class difference, and that she should remain chaste, and virtuous. Polonius believes that their relationship is simply a dalliance, and calls it a "fashion". Both men agree that it is not a good idea for her to continue her relationship with Hamlet.

This scene is important to the play because it causes Ophelia to be torn between her family and her love for Hamlet. The insensitive words of advice from her father and brother weigh upon her heart heavily, as she agrees to conform to their wishes. Although Shakespeare does not specifically say so, it is safe to assume that this scene breaks her heart. This scene is the beginning of the end of her relationship with Hamlet, as well as her death.

• “Talk” to one or more of the characters in the scene in question

 Self: "Ma'am, why are you following your head over your heart in regards to your love of Hamlet?"

Ophelia: "I must be respectful of my father and brothers wishes. They do not believe that this is a good idea."

Self: "I understand, I know that this is a very hard decision. I admire you for your loyalty to your family."

Ophelia: "The love that we share is real, I know so. It breaks my heart that Hamlet and I cannot be together. However, this is the way that it must be, so I will not challenge it any further."

Self: "I hope that you find happiness and that you make the right decisions."

Ophelia: "As do I."

• Comment on a character’s choices. Do they seem to be leading to an inevitable end?

At the start of the play, Ophelia is forced to chose between her loyalty to her family and her own happiness. She chooses to be loyal to her family through the remainder of the play, and by doing so she catapults herself towards her inevitable end. 

Her inevitable end is her death, whether it was accidental or purposeful.  Ophelia's choice to stand by her family, causes herself to bear great loss when her previous lover Hamlet, kills her father.