Ophelia lives in the Danish Court of Elsinore, a beacon in European politics of the time. Despite its status it is not secure and as the play opens, Denmark prepares for war. The society is laced with spies and surveillance, to keep threats to the throne at a minimum. It is in this society that Ophelia has grown up and become a young lady seeking a suitor and reciprocated love. .
In Ophelia's life all advice comes from men, her brother's advice to her in the first Act seems, at first glance to be condescending and belittling, making Hamlet's apparent love for her seem false and childish. "A toy in my blood"- a passion without meaning or depth. This advice seems highly hypocritical, Ophelia makes Laertes aware of this - .
"Do not as some ungracious pastors do,.
Show me the steep and thorny way to heaven,.
Whiles like a puffed and reckless libertine.
Himself the primrose path of dalliance treads,.
And recks not his own rede.".
Ophelia has an insight into Laertes" world and of his plans in Paris. He pushes her advice aside in a short and dismissive "Oh fear me not." However, his advice could also be seen as an example of brotherly love. He could simply be protecting his sister and looking out for her best interests. "Forward, not permanent, sweet, not lasting." It appears that here Laertes is lovingly warning her about the behaviour of "a violet in the youth of primy nature" an early blossoming infatuation disguised as love. In this scene the audience is able to see the strength of brotherly love, particularly as his first request is that Ophelia contacts him while he is away. "let me hear from you." .
On the other hand the advice that Ophelia receives from Polonious is much less sensitive and somewhat dismissive. "Affection! Pooh!" and "Think yourself a baby." Polonious" tone is patronizing, condescending and much less thoughtful than that of Laertes. Yet Ophelia vows to obey both of their advice.
