B011_Hamlet4.txt

The Tragedy of Hamlet Laertes, Ophelia's brother, had to go to France. Before he left, he warned Ophelia not to pursue a personal relationship with prince anymore. Despite all these opposition and obstacles, Ophelia did not take their advice to heart. But continued to pray for Hamlet. How suddened she was therefore to hear of Hamlet's insanity. Ophelia did not believe it. She decided to go to the palace and see for herself. When Prince Hamlet saw Ophelia, his heart almost burst. But he did not want others to know the secret of his insanity. Therefore he continued to pretend he was mad. He stood before Ophelia and stared at her blankly, frightening her very much, and here she left him and returned home. She told her father of Hamlet's condition, and how he acted when she met him. Polonius concluded that Hamlet had lost his mind because he could not have Ophelia to weep. Then he spoke to his daughter kindly, "If I knew the prince had loved you that much, I could never forbid you to marry him." Polonius now thought he knew the real reason for the prince's insanity. Then he brought his daughter to the palace and reported this thing to the king. The king and the queen were interested to hear Polonius' report. The queen wanted Ophelia to help to restore Prince Hamlet to a sound mind. But the king wanted Ophelia to find out whether the prince was really insane. Polonius wanted to please the king so he suggested that his daughter Ophelia go and see the prince. Then he and the king would follow after and hid behind the curtain to see what happened as the two of them came together.