SARAH:  Act 1, scene 3 opens with the young Ophelia talking with her brother Laertes.  Laertes has come back from France because of the recent events in Denmark, but has now been given permission to return to France. He’s just finished packing his bags, and now is saying goodbye to his sister.

RALPH:  Laertes warns his sister not to get too close to Hamlet, because Hamlet might only be playing around, and not serious about his relationship with Ophelia. He adds that Hamlet is a prince, and he can't therefore necessarily decide for himself who he is to marry.

SARAH:  Ophelia heeds his advice, but warns him that he should take his own advice, and watch his step with the young ladies in France.  It’s at this moment that their father, Polonius, enters.  We’ll learn more about this second family in this play, as Polonius gives Laertes some parting words of advice.