Part 3 Section 2 (from page 187) Summary

This section begins with "Polonius encountered the Queen in the pillared lobby...." Polonius and Gertrude cross paths. Polonius says that Ophelia was comforted and cheered up by their talk. He has advised his daughter to curtail her availability to Hamlet. He fears ever more for her virtue, virtue being "all of a woman's worth." Ophelia is innocent, and he believes Hamlet toys with her. He thinks Hamlet is too sophisticated, haughty and caustic. Ophelia is to await more solid tokens of affection. He believes, as do others, that Hamlet is spoiled, having grown up with no discipline. Gertrude's long-dormant love for her son rises to his defense. She says that he needed little discipline, and was smarter than either of his parents. In fact, he was his father's constant companion. The King has high hopes for him...