LAERTES/OPHELIA ACT 1

INT. OPHELIA'S ROOM DAY
Ophelia is sitting at a table in her room. On her table are a vase of flowers and a small stack of books. On a shelf above the table are neatly placed dolls. Tree branches can be seen outside a small window. Ophelia is looking at her journal where she has pasted in paintings of her dead mother and of Hamlet. She has also made drawings of her own. After looking at it for a few moments, she begins to write. Laertes enters the room without knocking. She closes the journal suddenly. His presence brings an immediate tension into the room. Ophelia is wary of his every move.

LAERTES
My necessaries are embark'd. Do not sleep, But let me hear from you.

OPHELIA
Do you doubt that?

Laertes moves in close to her.

LAERTES
For Hamlet, and the trifling of his favor, Hold it a fashion, and a toy in blood; No more.

She is surprised to hear Laertes speak about Hamlet but she knows not to dispute him. He reaches for her journal which she pulls away before he can get it.

OPHELIA
No more but so?

LAERTES
Think it no more. His greatness weigh'd, his will is not his own; For he himself is subject to his birth. He may not, as unvalued persons do

(Obviously pointing out that Ophelia is unvalued)
LAERTES (CONT’D)
Carve for himself, for on his choice depends The sanity and health of this whole state, Then if he says he loves you...

Laertes touches her neck. Ophelia sits up very straight. The camera captures this tightening of her body.

LAERTES (CONT’D)
...It fits your wisdom not to believe it

Laertes is now right in her face with his mouth close to hers and looking intensely into her eyes.

LAERTES (CONT’D)
Weigh what loss your honor may sustain If you lose your heart, or your chaste treasure open

Laertes starts to reach between her legs and she quickly closes them. He laughs and backs away.

LAERTES (CONT’D)
Fear it, Ophelia, fear it, my dear sister, And keep you in the rear of your affection, Out of the shot and danger of desire.

He has moved behind her and is clearly indicating her ass. Laertes continues talking as he becomes increasingly aroused.

LAERTES
The chariest maid is prodigal enough If she unmask her beauty to the moon. In the morn and liquid dew of youth Contagious blastments are most imminent.

In the previous speech, he has used many words in a suggestive way (moon, strokes, liquid dew of youth, blastments) and he is moving in to kiss Ophelia.

LAERTES
Be wary then; best safety lies in fear.

Laertes moves in on her, but she escapes him.

OPHELIA
I shall th' effect of this good lesson keep As watchman to my heart. But, good my brother, Do not as some ungracious pastors do, Show me the steep and thorny way to heaven, Whiles, like a puff'd and reckless libertine, Himself the primrose path of dalliance treads.

Laertes is angry that she has questioned him. He puts his hand on her neck and moves his face in close to hers. Suddenly, he relents, afraid perhaps of himself.

LAERTES
O, fear me not!

A noise outside the door.
 
I stay too long. But here my father comes.