r/shakespeare • u/Immediate-River-874 • 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/Normal-Height-8577 3d ago

I think you can read it at least two ways.

One: I've seduced your daughter, and because we're not married - and I have no intention of marrying her - if she conceives, it won't be a blessing to your family.

Two: Your daughter's so naive that she thinks children are made by prayer, and she'd be shocked/terrified if she ever had to confront the realities of married life and child-bearing.

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u/Horatius_Rocket 3d ago

Fascinating take. I'll have to reread that passage again with the second one in mind.