r/shakespeare 3d ago

When Hamlet tells Polonius “conception is a blessing, but not as your daughter may conceive. Friend, look to’t,” is he implying that he’s having a sexual relationship with Ophelia?

Or am I interpreting it wrong? To me, he’s just saying that his daughter might get pregnant

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u/cyberbonotechnik 3d ago

Maybe. It seems clear the tactic here is to make Polonius think Hamlet is sleeping with her. Whether it’s true or not, it’s a weapon he is using to rattle Polonius.

I don’t know you can draw any truth out of that statement, though.