Compare:

Compare:

Let's say, you are a businessman working in your office.  You notice you're out of paper clips.  It's a nice day, so you decide you'll just walk down the block to the store, and buy some more.  You do walk to the store, and you stroll over to the aisle where you know the paper clips are.  As you turn the corner into the aisle, you find yourself face to face with your sweetheart, much to your delighted surprise.  She's there, too, doing some shopping.  How wonderfully nice.  As you just begin to open your mouth to say, "Hi honey!" she quickly speaks up, interrupting you, and she says, "How do you do, sir, and please allow me to say, good sir, I hope you have been well during the time since I saw you last."

Let's say, you are a businessman working in your office.  You notice you're out of paper clips.  It's a nice day, so you decide you'll just walk down the block to the store, and buy some more.  You do walk to the store, and you stroll over to the aisle where you know the paper clips are.  As you turn the corner into the aisle, you find yourself face to face with your sweetheart, much to your delighted surprise.  She's there, too, doing some shopping.  How wonderfully nice.  As you just begin to open your mouth to say, "Hi honey!" she quickly speaks up, interrupting you, and she says, "How do you do, sir, and please allow me to say, good sir, without seeming too inquisitive, I hope you have been well during the time since I saw you last."

What the hell??!!  You would look at your sweetheart like either she's gone crazy, or you have.  Sweethearts do ''not'' greet each other like that.  Never.  No way.  Not a chance.  At least, not unless they have a compelling reason to.

What the hell??!!  You would look at your sweetheart like either she's gone crazy, or you have.  Sweethearts do ''not'' greet each other like that.  Never.  Not a chance.  At least, not unless they have a compelling reason to.

Ophelia has not greeted Hamlet like they're in  private.  She has greeted him as if they are standing in the midst of a crowd at a formal gathering.

Ophelia has not greeted Hamlet like they're in  private.  She has greeted him as if they are standing in the midst of a crowd at a formal gathering.

She has done it on purpose.  She is giving Hamlet a "heads up" that they are not alone, and that somebody is listening.

She has done it on purpose.  She is giving Hamlet a "heads up" that they are not alone, and that somebody is listening, so he needs to be careful what he says.