Don't think of it as anything more than that. Our natural growth isn't only physical. As our bodies mature our minds and souls do too. It may be that he loves you now, and that his intentions are honourable, but remember who he is. He's not his own man: he's subject to his birth. He can't just do as he likes as the common people can. In time the safety and health of Denmark will depend on his decisions. When he chooses a wife, it must be after he has heard and considered the opinions of those institutions that he is the head of. So, if he tells you he loves you, you should understand that he loves you as much as a man in his position can, which is no more than the people of Denmark will allow. Decide whether you can cope with it if you suffer disappointment by taking too much notice of his serenades and falling in love with him or surrendering your virginity to him. Be careful, Ophelia. Be careful, my dear sister: be reserved and don't allow yourself to give in to desire. Modest girls are almost too forward when they only display their beauty to the moon. Even the most virtuous can't defend herself against malicious gossip. The liquid dew of youth is particularly vulnerable, like spring buds are to disease. So be careful. That's the best defence. Young people don't need much urging to get into trouble.

If I had a drop of calm blood, I would be a bastard: it would proclaim my father a cuckold and my mother a whore!

How did he die? I won’t be juggled with! To hell with my allegiance! I’ll be allied to the devil. Conscience and salvation can go to hell. Damnation doesn’t scare me. I care nothing about either this or the next world. Let whatever happens happen. One thing I’m sure of: I’ll be thoroughly revenged for my father.