394
hamlet
[act v
[SCENE II] Enter Hamlet and Horatio.
Ham. So much for this, sir. Now shall you see the other. You do remember all the circumstance ?
Hot. Remember it, my lord!
Ham. Sir, in my heart there was a kind of fighting
That would not let me sleep. Methought I lay 5
Worse than the mutines in the bilboes. Rashly—
And prais'd be rashness for it: let us know
Our indiscretion sometime serves us well
When our deep plots do pall; and that should learn us
There's a divinity that shapes our ends, 1 o
Rough-hew them how we will—
Hor. That is most certain.
Ham. Up from my cabin,
My sea-gown scarf'd about me, in the dark
Scene ii
Scene ii] Rowe. 1. shall you] Q.2; let me F. 5. Methought] F; my thought Q.2. 6. bilboes] F; bilbo Q.2. 6-11. Rashly— . . . it: let. . . will—] Kiltredge (subsl.); rashly, . . . it: let. . . will. Q.2; rashly, (. . . it) let . . . will. F; Rashly, . . . it,—(Let. . . will.) Jennens. 7. prais'd] Q.2; praise F.
8. sometime] Q.2; sometimes F. 9. deep] Q.2; dearer, pall] Q2 uncorr., F (paule); fall Q.2 con.; fail Pope. learn] Q.2; teach F. 13. me, in the dark] Q.5; me in the darke Q_2; me in the darke, F.
1. see the other} As promised in iv. vi.22-3.
6. mutines] — mutiners, mutineers. All three forms occur in Shakespeare's texts.
bilboes] iron shackles attached to a fixed horizontal bar used on board ship to confine prisoners by the ankles.
Rashly—] on impulse (in contrast to deep plots). The word evokes a parenthetic reflection; the narrative resumes at 1. 12 with the incidents which rashly describes.
7. let us know] 'that is, take notice and remember' (Johnson).
9. pall] lose force, falter. OED v.1 2. The variant fall in some copies of Q_2, though followed (or emended to fail)
by some eds., is apparently a miscor-rcction.
learn] F's substitution of teach suggests that learn in this sense, common in Shakespeare and still surviving in dialect, may already have been losing favour.
10—11. There's a divinity . . . will] For the sentiment, ln. The concentrated expression of it uses a single word (ends) to apply both to purposes and their outcome, and a metaphor from stone or timber work, in which rough-hew was a familiar term.
13. sea-gown] 'a coarse, high-collared, and short-sleeved gown, reaching down to the mid-leg, and used most by seamen and sailors' (Cotgrave, v. esclavine). Dampier used
sc. Ii] hamlet , 395
Grop'd I to find out them, had my desire,
Finger'd their packet, and in fine withdrew 15
To mine own room again, making so bold,
My fears forgetting manners, to unseal
Their grand commission; where I found, Horatio—
Ah, royal knavery!—an exact command,
Larded with many several sorts of reasons 20
Importing Denmark's health, and England's too,
With ho! such bugs and goblins in my life,
That on the supervise, no leisure bated,
No, not to stay the grinding of the axe,
My head should be struck off. Hor. Is't possible? 25
Ham. Here's the commission, read it at more leisure.
But wilt thou hear now how I did proceed ? Hor. I beseech you.
Ham. Being thus benetted round with villainies—
Or I could make a prologue to my brains, 30 They had begun the play—I sat me down, Devis'd a new commission, wrote it fair—
17. unseal] F; vnfold Q_2. 18-19. Horatio—Ah, royal knavery!—] Wilson; Horatio A royall knauery, Q.2; Horatio, Oh royall knauery: F. 20. reasons] Q.2; reason F. 22. ho!J hoe Q.2; hoo, F. 27. now] Q.2; me F. 28. I beseech] Q_2,F; Ay, 'beseech Capell. Q_2,F.      30. Or] Q.2; Ere F.
29. villainies] Capell; villaines
his as a 'covering in the night' [Voyages, n. i, p. 91; cited OED sea sb. 18 j.).
scarf'd about] wrapped round (as distinct from properly put on).
14. them] Rosencrantz and Guilden-stern.
15. Finger'd] purloined.
in fine] finally (as at 11.ii.69, IV-vii. 132). .,
20. Larded] garnished. Cf. iv.v. 38 and n.
21. Importing] concerning. Cf. i.ii. 23-
22. bugs and goblins] These words, along with the scornful astonishment of ho.', ridicule as imaginary the frightful dangers alleged to be inherent in Hamlet's continued exist-
ence. Shr. i.ii.207 refers to bugs (i.e. bugbears, bogeys) as suitable for frightening 'boys', Troil. v.x.29 to goblins as the creation of 'frenzy'.
23. supervise] perusal. The sole recorded instance of the noun; see n. i.4n.
no leisure bated] no time lost.
24. stay] wait for.
30. Or] alternative form of ere (< O.E. er). Cf. i.ii. I47n. F modernizes.
30-1. Or I could . . . play] Before I had had time to work out what to do, my brains had started to do it. A prologue (like that to Rom.) outlines the action which the players then perform.
32.,/aiV] in a clerkly hand.
396
hamlet
[act v
I once did hold it, as our statists do,
A baseness to write fair, and labour'd much
How to forget that learning, but, sir, now 35
It did me yeoman's service. Wilt thou know
Th'effect of what I wrote ?
Hor. Ay, good my lord.
Ham. An earnest conjuration from the King, As England was his faithful tributary, As love between them like the palm might flourish, 40 As peace should still her wheaten garland wear And stand a comma 'tween their amities, And many such-like 'as'es of great charge, That on the view and knowing of these contents, Without debatement further more or less, 45 He should those bearers put to sudden death, Not shriving-time allow'd.
Hor. How was this seal'd ?
Ham. Why, even in that was heaven ordinant. I had my father's signet in my purse, Which was the model of that Danish seal, 50 Folded the writ up in the form of th'other,
37. Th'effect] &2; The effects F. 40. like] Q_2; as F. might] Q_s; should F. 42. comma] Q,2f; commere Theobald, conj. Warburton.
43. 'as'es] Rowe (As's); Assis F; as sir Q_2. 44. knowing] Q2; know F. 46. those] Q2; the F. 48. ordinant] Q2; ordinate F. 51. the form of th'other] Q_2; forme of the other F.
politicians,  men of .ßourish] Psalm
33. statists] affairs.
40. like the palm xcii. 12.
41. still] always.
wheaten garland] with which, as a symbol of plenty and prosperity, peace is traditionally represented.
42. comma] the least of the marks of punctuation, and therefore a type of something small and insignificant.
ln.
43. 'as'es of great charge] Punning on
(1) the as clauses of great import, and
(2) asses with great loads.
45. more or less] (without) the slightest deviation (from these instructions).
47. Not shriving-time allow'd] Perhaps too much has been made of the savagery of refusing them absolution, when the emphasis is on the denial not so much of the rite as of time for it (cf. 'short shrift'). Cf. 11. 23-5 above; yet also ui.iii.89-95 an^ LN> while the lack of opportunity for confession is an aggravation of the killing of Hamlet's father (1. v. 76-9, in.iii. 80-4).
48. ordinant] ordaining, directing the course of events. Cf. 1. 1 o above.
50. model] exact likeness.
that] indicating something assumed to be well known. OED That dem. 11 i b.
51. writ] writing.
hamlet 397
Subscrib'd it, gave't th'impression, plac'd it safely, The changeling never known. Now the next day Was our sea-fight, and what to this was sequent Thou knowest already. 55
Hor. So Guildenstern and Rosencrantz go to't.
Ham. Why, man, they did make love to this employment. They are not near my conscience, their defeat Does by their own insinuation grow. 'Tis dangerous when the baser nature comes 60 Between the pass and fell incensed points Of mighty opposites.
f{or. Why, what a king is this!
Ham. Does it not, think thee, stand me now upon—
He that hath kill'd my king and whor'd my mother, Popp'd in between th'election and my hopes, 65
52. Subscrib'd] F; Subscribe Q.2. 54. sequent] Q_2; sement F.
55. knowest] Q_2; know'st F. 56. Rosencrantz] Q2; Rosincrance, F.
57.] F; not in Q2. 58. defeat] Q_s; debate F. 59. Does] Q2; Doth F. 63. think] Q_2; thinkst F; thinks't Dyce, conj. Walker. 63-7. upon— . . .
coz'nage—] Boswell; vppon? . . . cusnage, Q2; vpon . . . coozenage; F.
53. changeling] a child substituted by fairies for one they steal.
56. to't] to their death. Cf. Gent. iv. iv. 3-4, 'one that I sav'd from drowning, when three or four of his blind brothers and sisters went to it'.
57. make love . . . employment] It does not appear from the text that they knew the nature of the commission they carried. But it is made abundantly clear that they were willing agents. Hamlet assumes them to be willing for the worst (m.iv. 204-9), and we are probably meant to assume it too and to accept the poetic justice of their end.
58. defeat] ruin. Seeii.ii.566n.
59. insinuation] worming their way in.
60. baser] lowlier.
61. pass] sword-thrust.
62. opposites] antagonists (a frequent 17th-century sense).
63. think] seem, with dative of the pronoun, as in methinks. Usually interpreted as an imperative, bethink.
But the sense is interrogative: Hamlet is asking an opinion. The grammar is less certain, wherefore many eds. follow F and accept Walker's interpretation thinks't, seems it? (Sh.'s Versification, pp. 281-2). But I suspect that instead of trying to improve the grammar, we should accept a flexibility whereby think thee can borrow from the interrogative construction of the main clause: Does it not -(does it not) seem to thee ? - stand me now upon ...?(= Isn't it now incumbent on me, don't you think...?).
63. stand me . . . upon] put an obligation on me. To stand upon, to be incumbent on; cf. R2 ir.iii. 138, R3 iv. ii.6o. See Abbott 204.
64. whor'd] See i.v.42ff, m.iv. 42-8 and nn.
65. Popp'd in . . . hopes] There was no suggestion in i.ii of any such 'hopes' or of any discreditable manoeuvre on the part of Claudius. But it is now allowed to appear that he had anticipated the normal process
gg8 hamlet [act v
Thrown out his angle for my proper life
And with such coz'nage—is't not perfect conscience
To quit him with this arm ? And is't not to be damn'd
To let this canker of our nature come
In further evil ? 70 Hor. It must be shortly known to him from England
What is the issue of the business there. Ham. It will be short. The interim is mine.
And a man's life's no more than to say 'one'.
But I am very sorry, good Horatio, 75
That to Laertes I forgot myself;
For by the image of my cause I see
The portraiture of his. I'll court his favours.
But sure the bravery of his grief did put me
Into a tow'ring passion. Hor. Peace, who comes here ? 80
Enter Osric, a Courtier.
Osr. Your Lordship is right welcome back to Denmark. Ham. I humbly thank you sir.—Dost know this water-fly?
67. conscience] conscience, F; conscience ? Q_2. 68-80.] F; not in Q2.
73~5-] As Hanmer; 3 lines ending short, / more / Horatio, F. 73. interim is] Hanmer; interim's F. 78. court] Rowe; count F. 80 S.D.] Enter a Courtier. 0,2; Enter young Osricke. F; Enter a Bragart Gentleman. Qi. 82. humbly] F; humble Qa.
of 'election' and so come 'between' Hamlet's hopes and their fulfilment. See i.ii. 1 ln, 111.iy.9gn.
66. angle] fish-hook. proper] own.
67. coz'nage] deception, with the common word-play on cousinage, kinship. Cf. i.ii.65.
perfect conscience] in complete accord with one's sense of right. OED conscience 6.
68-80.] The absence of these lines from Q2 is difficult to explain except as an accidental omission.
69. canker] a spreading sore - and thus a corruption inherent in our 'nature', rather than (as Schmidt) a grub preying on it.
74. to say 'one'] i.e. in counting. To the hint that he has only a short time in which to act Hamlet retorts that man's whole life is short. Dover Wilson, however, supposes this refers to a single rapier thrust (cf. 1. 279 below), which is enough to 'finish Claudius off (WHH, p. 272).
77-8. the image . . . his] The irony, which Hamlet does not remark on but which we can hardly miss, is that the image which shows Laertes as a revenger like Hamlet must also show Hamlet as revenge's object.
79. bravery] bravado, flamboyance. See v. i. 244-50, 278-9.
82-3. water-fly] ln.
sc. h] hamlet 399
Hor. No, my good lord.
Ham. Thy state is the more gracious, for 'tis a vice to 85 know him. He hath much land and fertile.- Let a beast be lord of beasts and his crib shall stand at the king's mess. 'Tis a chuff, but, as I say, spacious in the possession of dirt.
Osr. Sweet lord, if your lordship were at leisure, I should 90 • impart a thing to you from his Maj esty.
Ham. I will receive it, sir, with all diligence of spirit. Your bonnet to his right use: 'tis for the head.
0sr. I thank your lordship, it is very hot.
Ham. No, believe me, 'tis very cold, the wind is northerly. 95
Osr. It is indifferent cold, my lord, indeed.
Ham. But yet methinks it is very sultry and hot for my complexion.
Osr. Exceedingly, my lord, it is very sultry—as 'twere—-
I cannot tell how. My lord, his Majesty bade me 100 signify to you that a has laid a great wager on your
88. chuff] This edn; chough Q_2,F (Chowgh). say]  Q_2; saw F.
90. lordship] Q_2; friendship F. 92. sir] Qji; not in F. 93. Your] Q.2; putyourF. 94. it is] Qji; 'tis F. 97. But yet] Qjg; not inF. sultry] F; sully Q_2. hot for] F; hot, or Qs. 99. sultry—as 'twere—] Steevens; soultery, as t'were Q.2,F. 100. how.] how: Q2; how: butF. ioi.ahas] Q_2; he ha'sF.
85. gracious] blessed. Cf. i.i. 169.
86-8. Let a beast . . . king's mess.] A man of large possessions is received at court though himself no better than the cattle he owns. Crib, food-box, continues the beast metaphor.
88. chuff] (of which Q2 chough is a variant spelling) rustic, churl, esp. one who is nevertheless well-to-do.
ln.
90. Sweet] Common in courtly address. Cf. 1n.ii.53.
92. diligence] attentiveness.
93. bonnet] An ordinary word for a hat or cap. Cf. Ven. 339, 351. Hats indoors were quite normal. Cf. 11. i. 79 n. Arguments that Osric must have worn a Danish hat are without textual support.
his] its. See i.i.4011.
94. it is very hot] An adaptation of
an old joke. Cf. Guazzo, Civil Conversation (Tudor Trans., i. 165), 'seeing him bare headed . . . made him put on his hat - He should have put it off again, to have shewed that he was not bare in respect of them, but because of the heat'; Florio, Second Fruits, 1591, p. hi, 'Why do you stand bareheaded ? . . . — ... I do it for my ease' (cf. 1. 105 below). Burlesqued in The Malcontent, Ind. 37-9.
94-5. hot . . . cold] For Hamlet's mockery of the obsequious who will agree to contrary propositions, cf. in. ii. 367-73. Theobald would derive it from Juvenal, Sat. in. 102-3.
96. indifferent] moderately, fairly, as at in. i. 122.
98. complexion] constitution. Cf. 1. iv.27n.
400
hamlet
[act v
head. Sir, this is the matter— Ham. [signing to him to put on his hat] I beseech you remember—
Osr. Nay, good my lord, for my ease, in good faith. 105 Sir, here is newly come to court Laertes—believe me, an absolute gentleman, full of most excellent differences, of very soft society and great showing. Indeed, to speak feelingly of him, he is the card or calendar of gentry; for you shall find in him the no continent of what part a gentleman would see.
Ham. Sir, his definement suffers no perdition in you,
103. signing . . . hat] Johnson subst. 105. good my lord] Q_2; in good faith F. my ease] Q2; mine ease F. 106-34. here is . . . Well, sir?] 0_2; not in F. 109. feelingly] Q_3; fellingly Q_2 con.; sellingly Q2 uncorr. " m. part] Q2; parts Wilson.
104. remember] for 'remember your courtesy', a formula for 'cover your head'. The phrase has puzzled eds., who naturally suppose that courtesy would require one to remain uncovered; but its use not to demand but to waive this mark of respect is amply demonstrated, if not explained. Cf. LLL v.i.84-5, 'I do beseech thee, remember thy courtesy . . . apparel thy head'; Lusty Juventus, MSR, 1. 616, 'I pray you be remembered, and cover your head'; Every Man in his Humour, i.ii. 50-2, 'pray you remember your court'sy ... nay, pray you be covered'. OED remember v. 1 d. The implication appears to be that the demands of courtesy are now satisfied (and that the hat should therefore be resumed).
105. for my ease] The polite rejoinder. See above, 1. 94n.
106-40. here is newly . . . unfellowed] This praise of Laertes fulfils iv.vii. 130-2. The reduction of it in F to a single sentence is 'an obvious playhouse cut' (Dover Wilson).
107. absolute] flawless.
108. differences] characteristics which are out of the ordinary, distinctions.
soft society] pleasing manners. 109. feelingly] with discrimination, justly, as at Meas. i.ii.34; Tw.N. n.
iii. 149. Some eds. have preferred Q,2's original sellingly, which is compared with LLL iv. iii. 236 ('a seller's praise') and Sonn. xxi. 14 and defended at length by Dover Wilson (MSH, pp. 293-4); but the word is neither authenticated nor (from Osric) apt.-
109-10. card or calendar] model or paradigm. Two words for the same thing. A card is literally a chart or map, a calendar a register or directory.
11 o. gentry] behaviour proper to a gentleman. Cf. 11. ii. 22.
in. continent] container, as at iv.
iv. 64. See next note.
what part] whatever part, any part which. This sense of what makes the emendation parts (see MSH, p. 301) unnecessary. A pun on part gives (1) ability, accomplishment (as in iv. vii. 72), which a gentleman desires to see in another; (2) region (sustaining the metaphor of card, continent), which he desires to see on his travels.
112. perdition] in the literal sense, loss.
4OI
"5
„  „t hamlet sc. i1j
though I know to divide him inventorially would dozy th'arithmetic of memory, and yet but yaw neither, in respect of his quick sail. But, in the verity of extolment, I take him to be a soul of great article and his infusion of such dearth and rareness as, to make true diction of him, his semblable is his mirror and who else would trace him his umbrage, nothing more. 120
Osr. Your lordship speaks most infallibly of him.
Ham. The concernancy, sir ? Why do we wrap the gentleman in our more rawer breath ?
Osr. Sir?
Hor. Is't not possible to understand in another tongue? 125
114. dozy] Q2 uncorr. (dosie); dazzie Q_2 corr.; dizzie Q.5. yaw] Q2
uncorr.; raw Q.2 corr. 125. in another] Q_2; in a mother Tschischwitz, conj. Johnson; in's mother conj. Staunton.
113. to divide him inventorially] to list his attributes separately.
114. dozy] bewilder, stupefy. Q,2 gives a rare but acceptable form which is difficult to explain except as the ms. reading and which the corrector, falling between dizzy and dazzle, failed to improve.
114-15. but yaw neither . . . sail] do no more than divagate in comparison with his rapid motion. A ship is said to yaw when it fails to keep a straight course. The nautical metaphor (cf. sail) establishes the reading, which the 0,2 corrector evidently did not understand. Meither, and nothing else, emphasizes the negative implied in but. Cf. Mer.V. in.v.7 ('that is but a kind of bastard hope neither'), All's W. 11. «■ 33; and see Abbgtt 128, OED neither A 3 b. In respect of is regularly used for 'in comparison with', but may alternatively mean 'on account of, which would imply that it was the very attempt to keep up with the swift sailing that threw the pursuer off course. In either case, the excellences of Laertes elude any attempt to catalogue them.
116. article] theme; matter for an inventory.
117. infusion] quality (as determined by what has been infused into him).
dearth] = rareness.
118. his semblable . . . mirror] the (only) person like him is his own image in the glass.
119. trace him] follow his tracks. umbrage] shadow (he himself being
the substance).
122. The concernancy . . .?] How does this concern us?
122-3. Why do we wrap . . . breath?] Why do we clothe him in words of ours which can only fall short of his refinement? An ornate way of asking why we are speaking about the gentleman at all.
125-6. Is't not possible . . . really.] Apparently a call for a different (simpler) language, provoked by Osric's failure to understand and addressed, I assume, to Hamlet. You will to't, you will apply yourself to it, have a good go at it; really, assuredly.
ln.
402
hamlet
[act v
You will to't, sir, really. Ham. What imports the nomination of this gentleman ? Osr. Of Laertes?
Hor. His purse is empty already, all's golden words are
spent. 130
Ham. Of him, sir. Osr. I know you are not ignorant— Ham. I would you did, sir. Yet in faith if you did, it would
not much approve me. Well, sir ? Osr. You are not ignorant of what excellence Laertes is— 135 Ham. I dare not confess that, lest I should compare with
him in excellence; but to know a man well were to
know himself.
Osr. I mean, sir, for his weapon; but in the imputation
laid on him, by them in his meed, he's unfellowed. 140 Ham. What's his weapon ? Osr. Rapier and dagger. Ham. That's two of his weapons. But well. Osr. The King, sir, hath wagered with him six Barbary
126. to't] Q_s uncorr. (too't); doo't Q_2 corr. really] Q2; rarely Theobald. '35- is] Q.s: is at his weapon. F. 136-40.] Q2; not in F. 139. his] Q5; this Q_2. 140. him, by them in his meed,] Q_2; him by them: in this
meed Capell; him by them, in his meed Steevens2. 144. King, sir] Q2; sir
King F.       hath wagered] Q_2; ha's wag'd F; hath layd a wager Qi.
127. What imports the nomination of] What is the reason for mentioning.
134. not much approve] approve, commend; not much because Osric's judgment is of small account.
136-8. / dare not . . . know himself.] Implying that only the excellent can appreciate excellence and that only through self-knowledge can a man thoroughly know another. The first proposition, however, does not entail the second, which exceeds it. Hence but.
139. imputation] estimation.
140. in his meed] in his service (meed, reward, pay). So Dover Wilson in accord with Q,2 punctuation and the plain sense. To take in his meed ( =
merit) with unfellowed, as usually done, is, after stress on excellence, tautological and leaves them unidentified.
142. Rapier and dagger.] The fashionable mode c. 1600, displacing sword and buckler but itself presently to be superseded (cf. 1. 220 S.D. n.). See Porter, Two Angry Women of Abington, MSR, 11. 1339-42, 'sword and buckler fight, begins to grow out, . . . this poking fight of rapier and dagger will come up'. With the dagger (or poniard, as 1. 146) in the left hand, one warded off the opponent's rapier while thrusting with one's own. Cf. Rom. m.i. 158-60 and see WHH, pp. 279-80.
144-5. Barbary horses] A much-prized breed, noted for their swiftness.
sc n-| hamlet 403
horses, against the which he has impawned, as I 145 take it, six French rapiers and poniards, with their assigns, as girdle, hanger, and so. Three of the carriages, in faith, are very dear to fancy, very responsive to the hilts, most delicate carriages, and of very liberal conceit. 150
Ham. What call you the carriages?
Hor. I knew you must be edified by the margin ere you had done.
Osr. The carriages, sir, are the hangers.
Ham. The phrase would be more german to the matter 155 if we could carry a cannon by our sides—I would it might be hangers till then. But on. Six Barbary horses against six French swords, their assigns, and three liberal-conceited carriages—that's the French bet against the Danish. Why is this—impawned, as 160 you call it ?
145. has impawned] Q_2 (impaund); impon'd F. 147. hanger, and] Q_s; Hangers or F. '52-3.] 0,2; not in F. 154. carriages] F; carriage Q2. 155-6. matter if] Q2; matter: \{F. 156. a] Q2; not in F; the Q_i. 157. might be] F; be Q.2 uncorr.; be might Q_2 corr. '57-8- on. Six . . .
swords,] Pope subst.; on, six . . . swords Q2; on sixe . . . Swords: F. 160. bet] Q_2; but F. impawned, as] Malone; impon'd as F; all Qz; all 'impawned' as Wilson; all impon'd, as Kiltredge.
145. impawned] staked. See 1. 160
ln.
147. assigns] A fanciful term for accessories.
hanger] 'Attached to a man's girdle was the hanger, which consisted of one or two straps and a plate or pad to which was buckled the scabbard of the sword' (Linthicum, p. 265). The sense often prompts but (contrary to MSH, pp. 238-9) does not necessitate the plural form. Cf. Inventory of goods «of John Grant (PRO, E 178/4006), 'Item, one horseman's coat, boot-hose, mittens, girdle and hanger'; Every Man in his Humour, i.v.81; Marston, What Tou Will, v.i.40.
148-50. very dear . . . conceit] Hangers were often richly ornamented, wherefore: pleasing to the
fancy, matching the hilts in design, finely wrought (delicate) with lavish (liberal) ingenuity.
151. What call you . . .?] What do you refer to as ... ?
152. margin] where, in books of the time, one might find a gloss or explanatory note.
155-6. The phrase . . . sides] Since carriage is the word for the frame on which a cannon is mounted. Cf. H5 Hi. Prol. 26.
159-60. the French bet . . . Danish] What the Frenchified Laertes has brought back with him is set against the home product. Danish horses were esteemed and exported (Doller-up, pp. 118-19).
160. impawned, as] On the variant readings, ln.
170
404 HAMLET [ACT V
Osr. The King, sir, hath laid, sir, that in a dozen passes between yourself and him he shall not exceed you three hits; he hath laid on twelve for nine. And it would come to immediate trial if your lordship 165 would vouchsafe the answer.
Ham. How if I answer no ?
Osr. I mean, my lord, the opposition of your person in trial.
Ham. Sir, I will walk here in the hall. If it please his Majesty, it is the breathing time of day with me. Let the foils be brought, the gentleman willing, and the King hold his purpose, I will win for him and I can; if not, I will gain nothing but my shame and the odd hits.
Osr. Shall I deliver you so ?
Ham. To this effect, sir, after what nourish your nature will.
Osr. I commend my duty to your lordship. Ham. Yours. [Exit Osric]
A does well to commend it himself, there are no
162. laid, sir] Q_s; laid F. 163. yourself] Q_g; you F. 164. laid on] Q_2; oneF.        nine] Q_2; mineF. it] O.2; thatF.        171. it is] Q,s; 'tis F.
172-3. brought, the . . . purpose,] Theobald; brought, the . . . purpose; Q_2, F; brought. The . . . purpose, conj. this edn. 173. and] Q,2; if F. 174. I will] O.2; He F. 176. deliver] Q.2,Q,i; redeliuer F. you] Q,2; you e'en F. 180. Yours] Q.2; Yours, yours F. t8o S.D.] F2 {Exit, after '79)> Capell.      181. A] Evans, conj. Parrott-Craig; hee F; not in Q_2.
win . . .' This requires us to understand be before willing. An alternative is to take only 'the gentleman willing, and (= if) ... purpose' as conditional to what follows.
173. and] if.
174. will] consent to. This balances the previous will. Future tense would of course be I shall. See Abbott 3'9-
175. the odd hits] i.e. the extra three he will have suffered (see 11. 163-4).
179. commend] (1) present to your favourable regard. Cf. 1. 192. But Hamlet takes it as (2) praise. Plain speech could have omitted it, as at i.ii.253.
175
180
The King, sir, hath laid . . .
Cf. 1. 286 {bout)
the Cf.
162-4. nine.] ln
162. passes] bouts, and Tw.N. in. iv. 262
166. answer] acceptance of challenge (as Osric explains). Troil. t.iii. 332.
171. breathing time] time for exercise. Cf. All's W. i.ii. 17, 'sick For breathing and exploit'; Per. n.Hi. 101.
172-4. Let the foils ...and I can] The 0_2 punctuation does not declare the syntax, though the semicolon after purpose (followed by F and some eds.) seems to group the three preceding clauses with Let. I take it this is subjunctive rather than imperative, introducing the conditions for T will
SC.
HAMLET
tongues else for's turn.
flor. This lapwing runs away with the shell on his head.
Ham. A did comply with his dug before a sucked it. Thus
has he—and many more of the same bevy that I 185 know the drossy age dotes on—only got the tune of the time and, out of an habit of encounter, a kind of yeasty collection, which carries them through and through the most fanned and winnowed opinions; and do but blow them to their trial, the bubbles are 190
out.
Enter a Lord.
182. turn] Q,2; tongueF. 184. A] Q2; He F. comply] F; sir Qs uncorr.; so sir Q.2 can. a] Q2; hee F. 185. has] Q2; had F. many] Q_a; mine F. bevy] F; breede Q.2. 187. out of an] Q.2; outward F. 188. yeasty] F; histy Q2. 189. fanned] Hanmer, Warburton; fond F;
prophane Q2; profound Tschischwitz, conj. Bailey. winnowed] F; trennowed Q2; trennowned Q3; renowned Q 1676. 190. trial] Q2; tryalls F.
191 S.D.-204.] 0,2; not in F.
182. for's turn] to serve his purpose, i.e. to do it for him. OED turn sb. 3°b{g).
183. lapwing . . . head] A favourite proverb, possibly evoked (as Dover Wilson suggests) by Osric's having now put on his hat. But the essential point about the shell is that the lapwing is ornithologically remarkable for leaving the nest within a few hours of birth and hence became the proverbial type of juvenile pretension. Cf. Greene's Never Too Late (Greene, viii. 35), 'Are you no sooner hatched, with the lapwing, but you will run away with the shell on your head?' Tilley L 69.
184. comply with] pay courtesies to. As at n.ii.368. Cf. Fulwell, Art of Flattery, Pref.: 'the very sucking babes hath a kind of afMation towards their nurses for the dug'. Qa, in trouble with several words in this speech, appears to have surrendered on this one, for which I take sir to be a substitution (and one which the press-corrector did not much improve).
185. bevy] As a word used of birds,
perhaps suggested by lapwing.
186. the drossy age] With the sentiment cf. 11. ii. 359-62, in. iv. 155-6, v. i. 135-8.
186-7. the tune °f tne time] 'the cant of the day' (Johnson).
187. out of an habit of encounter] from habitual intercourse. (Cf. OED habit sb. 10). F outward, though much followed and superficially attractive in reinforcing habit (= dress) and providing a parallel metaphor for tune, would imply a contrast with some inner worth, which a drossy age must lack. Cf. MSH, p. 329.
188. yeasty collection] accumulation of froth, i.e. of 'fashionable prattle' (Johnson).
188-9. carries them through . . . opinions] enables them thoroughly to hold their own among (and hence perhaps, as Dover Wilson, impose upon men of) the most tried and well-sifted opinions, ln.
190-1. do but blow . . . out] This continues the metaphor of yeasty: when you put Osric and his like to the test by as much as blowing on them, the bubbles burst, i.e. when
406 hamlet [act v
Ijtrd. My lord, his Majesty commended him to you by young Osric, who brings back to him that you attend him in the hall. He sends to know if your pleasure hold to play with Laertes or that you will 195 take longer time.
Ham. I am constant to my purposes, they follow the King's pleasure. If his fitness speaks, mine is ready. Now or whensoever, provided I be so able as now.
Lord. The King and Queen and all are coming down. 200
Ham. In happy time.
Lord. The Queen desires you to use some gentle entertainment to Laertes before you fall to play. Ham. She well instructs me. [Exit Lord.]
Hor. You will lose, my lord. 205 Ham. I do not think so. Since he went into France, I have been in continual practice. I shall win at the odds. Thou wouldst not think how ill all's here about my heart; but it is no matter. Hor. Nay, good my lord. 210
Ham. It is but foolery, but it is such a kind of gaingiving
as would perhaps trouble a woman. Hor. If your mind dislike anything, obey it. I will forestall their repair hither and say you are not fit.
204 S.D.] Theobald. 205. lose] Q2; lose this wagerF. 208. Thou wouldst] Q2; but thou wouldest F. ill all's] Q2; all F. 211. gaingiving] F; gamgiuing Q2; game-giuing Q3.      213. it] Q2; not in F.
you try to converse with them their fine phrases are shown to be empty of substance or thought.
198. If his fitness . . . ready.'] My convenience attends on his.
201. In happy time.] At an opportune moment. A polite formula of welcome. Cf. All's W. v.i.6, Oth. m. i. 29, etc.
202-3. use some gentle entertainment] show some mark of courtesy. This prepares for 11. 222 ff.
205. lose] F's addition of this wager appears to have been necessitated by the cut of 11. 192-204. (Cf. 1. 135, F at his weapon.) Strictly, it is the King
who will lose the wager and Hamlet the match. But cf. 1. 249.
206-7. / have been in continual practice.] This, though appropriate here, contradicts n. ii. 296-7.
207. the odds] The 'three hits' of 1. 164.
208-9. how ill. . . heart] 'By a divine instinct men's minds mistrust Ensuing danger' (R3 11. iii. 42-3).
211. gaingiving] misgiving, with the same prefix as in gainsay. The misreading of Q,2 and the conjectural emendation of Q.3 suggest that the word was unfamiliar.
sc.
n]
hamlet
407
Ham. Not a whit. We defy augury. There is special provi- 215 dence in the fall of a sparrow. If it be now, 'tis not to come; if it be not to come, it will be now; if it be not now, yet it will come. The readiness is all. Since no man, of aught he leaves, knows aught, what is't to leave betimes ? Let be. 2 20
A table prepared. Trumpets, Drums, and Officers with cushions. Enter King, Queen, Laertes, [Osric,] and all the State, and Attendants with foils and daggers.
215. There is] Q.2; there's a F,Qi. 216. now] F,Qi; not in Q.2.
218. will] F; well Qst. 219. of aught he leaves, knows aught,] This edn; of ought he leaues, knowes Q2 (knows, Warburton); ha's ought of what he leaues. F (leaves, Rome); owes aught of what he leaves, Hammer; knows aught of what he leaves, Johnson; knows of aught he leaves Spencer. 220. Let be.] Q2; not in F. 220 S.D.] Q2 subst.; Enter King, Queene, Laertes and Lords, with other Attendants with Fqyles, and Gauntlets, a Table and flagons of Wine on it. F.      Osric] Theobald.
215. We] Note that Hamlet does not speak for himself alone. Characteristically the personal predicament expands to the general.
215-16. There is special providence . . . sparrow.] Matthew x.29. The Elizabethans believed- both in general providence manifesting itself in the whole system of creation and, within this, in a singular or special providence manifesting itself in the particular event. The latter, along with its scriptural exemplification in the sparrow, was especially insisted on by Calvin (see Institutes, 1, esp. xvi. 1, xvii.6). Cf. above, 11. 10-11, 48.
216. it] death.
218. The readiness is all.] Cf. Matthew xxiv. 44 ('Be ye also ready'); Luke xii.40. «,
218-20. Since no man . . . betimes?] Since no man has any knowledge of anything he is leaving, what signifies an early death ? ln.
220. Let be.] Enough, forbear. Cf. Ant. iv.iv.6, Wint. v. iii. 61, and v.ii. 343 below. Many eds. wrongly take this to be part of Hamlet's reflections, expressing  his  resignation   to the
course of events. A misplaced ingenuity has even tried to make it answer 'To be or not to be'. But it merely recognizes an interruption which requires their dialogue to break off. Cf. variously 11.ii.416 ('my abridgement'), v.i.210 ('But soft'), v.ii.80 ('Peace'), m.ii.90.
220 S.D. the State] the nobility, the court.
foils and daggers] In accordance with I. 142. Attempts to show that the fencing must be with single rapier go against the text. Though the exchange of rapiers (11. 306-10) on which the catastrophe is to turn might be easier with the single weapon, it evidently did not presuppose it. F's substitution of Gauntlets for daggers represents a change in fencing style, but the significance of this in updating the action has perhaps been overstressed (WHH, p. 280). Rapier and dagger and single rapier seem to have been current simultaneously, and a change in stage-performance may have taken place already by 1603, the use of gauntlets being suggested by the Q,i S.D., 'They catch one anothers Rapiers' (after 1. 306).
4o8 hamlet [act v
King. Come, Hamlet, come, and take this hand from me.
[Puts Laertes's hand into Hamlet's.] Ham. Give me your pardon, sir. I have done you wrong; But pardon't as you are a gentleman. This presence knows, and you must needs have heard,
How I am punish'd with a sore distraction. What I have done
That might your nature, honour, and exception Roughly awake, I here proclaim was madness. Was't Hamlet wrong'd Laertes ? Never Hamlet. If Hamlet from himself be ta'en away, And when he's not himself does wrong Laertes, Then Hamlet does it not, Hamlet denies it. Who does it then ? His madness. If't be so, Hamlet is of the faction that is wrong'd; His madness is poor Hamlet's enemy. Sir, in this audience, Let my disclaiming from a purpos'd evil Free me so far in your most generous thoughts That I have shot my arrow o'er the house And hurt my brother. Laer. I am satisfied in nature,
225
230
235
240
221  S.D.] Johnson subst., after Hanmer. 222. I have] Qjt; I'ue F.
223-6.] As Rowe; lines ending knowes, / punnisht / done Q_z; ending Gentleman. / knowes, / punisht / done F. 225. a] Q_2; not in F. 236.] F; not in Qs. 239- my] Qz; mine F,Q_i.      240. brother] Q.*,Qj; Mother F.
222-48.] LN.
224. presence] august and royal assembly.
225. distraction] Cf. distracted, m. i. 5. 227. nature] natural feeling, filial
regard. Cf. i.v.81, m.ii.384 and nn. Hamlet recognizes for Laertes promptings similar to his own.
exception] disapproval, sense of grievance (cf. 'take exception to'). Cf. All's W. 1. ii. 38-40, 'his honour . . . knew . . . when Exception bid him speak'.
230. If Hamlet . . . ta'en away] Cf. 'Ophelia divided from herself and her fair judgment' (iv.v.84-5).
236. Sir, in this audience,] Cairncross
(SQ_, ix, 587-8) supposes this part-line misplaced and would transfer it to 1. 224, reading 'This presence knows, sir, and this audience'.
239. shot my arrow] The figure of the arrow that, once released, may go farther than one meant is common. Cf. Nashe (i.355), 'As an arrow is shot out of a bow . . . with such force, that it flieth far beyond the mark whereat it was aimed'.
240. my brother] Cf. 1. 249, 'this brothers' wager'. The ambivalence in Hamlet's relation with Laertes, who is both his foe and his second self, is fundamental to our understanding of the play.
sc. 11]
hamlet
4°9
Whose motive in this case should stir me most
To my revenge; but in my terms of honour
I stand aloof, and will no reconcilement
Till by some elder masters of known honour
I have a voice and precedent of peace 245
To keep my name ungor'd. But till that time
I do receive your offer'd love like love
And will not wrong it.
fjam, I embrace it freely,
And will this brothers' wager frankly play.— Give us the foils. 250
Laer. Come, one for me.
Ham. I'll be your foil, Laertes. In mine ignorance
Your skill shall like a star i'th' darkest night
Stick fiery off indeed. LaeTm You mock me, sir.
Ham. No, by this hand. 255 King. Give them the foils, young Osric. Cousin Hamlet,
You know the wager? Ham. Very well, my lord.
Your Grace has laid the odds o'th' weaker side. King. I do not fear it. I have seen you both,
245. precedent] president Q_2,F, precedent Johnson. 246. keep] F; not in Q_2. ungor d] Qjt; vngorg'd F. till] F; all £2. 248-^9. I . . . play.] As F; one line Q_2. 248. I] Q.2; I do F. 250. foils.] Q_g; Foyles: Come on. F. 256-7.] As Q_2; divided Osricke, / Cousen F.      258. has] Q_2; hath F,Q_i.
245. voice and precedent] 'authoritative pronouncement, justified by precedent' (Dowden).
246. ungor'd] unwounded (rather than 'unstained'), from the verb to gore, pierce. Cf. Hamlet's fear of 'a wounded name' (1. 349); and Troil. m.iii.228, 'My fame is shrewdly gor'd'.
252. foil] background against which a jewel shows more brightly.
254. Stick . . . off] stand out conspicuously. Cf. Cor. v.iii.73, 'stick . . . Like a great sea-mark'.
256. Osric] Dover Wilson's assump-uon that Osric is an accomplice in the plot is unsupported by text or
plausibility; and it is not a play in which the guilty go unpunished. (Yet, transformed into Phantasmo, he has become an accomplice in BB.)
258. laid the odds 0'] backed. Commentators, assuming odds to imply inequality, have supposed it to refer either (as in 1. 260) to the advantage of hits given to Hamlet (which makes nonsense of the King's reply) or to the unequal stakes. But that lay odds need mean no more than 'make a bet' appears from 2H4 v. v. 106-8, 'I will lay odds that . . . We bear our civil swords ... As far as France'. Cf. Qi, 1. 164, 'on your side the King hath laide'.
4IO HAMLET [ACT V
But since he is better'd, we have therefore odds. 260 Laer. This is too heavy. Let me see another. Ham. This likes me well. These foils have all a length ? Osr. Ay, my good lord. They prepare to play.
[Enter Servants with] flagons of wine.
King. Set me the stoups of wine upon that table.
If Hamlet give the first or second hit, 265
Or quit in answer of the third exchange,
Let all the battlements their ordnance fire:
The King shall drink to Hamlet's better breath,
And in the cup an union shall he throw
Richer than that which four successive kings 270
In Denmark's crown have worn—give me the cups—
And let the kettle to the trumpet speak,
The trumpet to the cannoneer without,
260. better'd] F; better Q,s. 263 S.D. They prepare to play.] Fsubst. (after 362; not in Qs. Enter... wine.] Wilson subst. (cf. 220 S.D. flagons of Wine F).
269. union] F; Vfiice Q.2 uncorr.; Oriixe Qs corr. 271. worn—give ... cups—] This edn; worne: giue . . . cups, Q2; worne. / Giue . . . Cups, F. 272. trumpet] Q_2; Trumpets F.
SC
.n]
HAMLET
4"
260. better'd] pronounced (by public opinion) to be the better. The meaning, though it has escaped the dictionaries, is plain, and the inept traditional explanation that Laertes has improved (through his stay in Paris) must be firmly contradicted. The comparison is not between Laertes as he is and was but between Laertes and Hamlet.
odds] Referring to Hamlet's advantage of three hits (1. 164). Cf. 1. 207.
266. quit in answer . . . exchange] draw level in the third bout (presuming Laertes to have scored in one of the first two). Less satisfactorily (though perhaps more strictly interpreting in answer of), equalize in a later bout a score made by Laertes in the third. A mere draw in the third bout, which is what Dover Wilson understands, would not be matter for celebration. The idea that a third hit by Hamlet would finish off the match
belongs to the critic's imagination (see Sprinchorn in ln on 11. 162-4).
268. better breath] enhanced vigour.
269. an union] a pearl (cf. 1. 284). Apparently sp called from the uniqueness of each one. The term is normally reserved for pearls of finest quality - such as might be in a royal crown (1. 271). ln.
271. give me the cups] An order in parenthesis (as the usual punctuation does not make clear) for the cups to be placed by him in readiness. Cf. next note.
272-5. let the kettle . ..to Hamlet] Cf. i.ii. 125-8, l.iv.8-12. This resumes and expands 1. 267. Notwithstanding 'give me the cups', the King does not drink yet but announces how he will celebrate if (as in 11. 265-6), and as he accordingly does at 11. 284-5. Qjj's S.D. opp. II. 275-6 calling for trumpets now may be a book-keeper's misunderstanding.
275
The cannons to the heavens, the heaven to earth, 'Now the King drinks to Hamlet.' Come, begin. And you, the judges, bear a wary eye. Ham. Come on, sir.
Laer. Come, my lord. They play.
Ham. One.
Laer. No. 280
Ham. Judgment.
Osr. A hit, a very palpable hit.
Laer. Well, again.
King. Stay, give me drink. Hamlet this pearl is thine.
Here's to thy health.      Drums; trumpets; and shot goes off.
Give him the cup. 285 Ham. I'll play this bout first. Set it by awhile.
Come. They play again.
Another hit. What say you ?
274. heaven] Q_2,F; heavens Q_3. 275. begin.] F; beginne. Trumpets j the
while. Q.2. 278. Come, my lord] Q.2; Come on sir F. 278 S.D.] F,Qi (after 280); not in 0,2. 285 S.D.] Trumpets sound, and shot goes off. F (after cup); opp. 282-3 Drum, trumpets and shot. / Florish, a peece goes off. Q2. 286. il] Q.2, Qi; not in F. 287-8. Come. They play again. Another] come againe. They play againe. Another. Qi; Come, [play.] Another Capell; Come, another Q2; Come: Another F; They play. Come—another Pope.
I
274. heaven] Possibly an error. Later Qq and some eds. regularize to heavens, but 17th-century usage permits either and the singular occurs in the corresponding i.ii. 127.
284. give me drink] to celebrate Hamlet's 'hit'. Cf. 11. 265-8.
this pearl] It is generally supposed (notwithstanding iv.vii. 158-61) that the 'pearl' is the poison, as seems indeed to follow from 1. 331, and this may be its raison d'etre. Cf. Antonio's Rev. 1. i. 68-9. In BB the King's proposal is to put a powdered diamond into the wine. But the matter is not without difficulty. The reasonable inference from the dialogue both here and at 11. 268-9 is that the King drops the union into the cup from which he then drinks himself. A 19th-century
tradition made Claudius 'pretend to drink' and then offer the same cup to Hamlet (Sprague, Sh. and the Actors, p. 179). W.J. Lawrence, however, maintained that as the King prepares to drink from one cup, he puts the poison in another (Land. Mercury, xxxvii, 526-31). Spencer supposes that he drinks before the 'pearl' has time to dissolve. Dover Wilson concludes that how the poison got into the cup 'we are not told' (WHH, p. 283).
285 S.D. Drums . . . goes off.] In obedience to 11. 265-7, 272-5.
288. Another hit] There is no need for the second hit to be celebrated like the first, and the opportunity afforded by 'the first or second' (1. 265) has been taken already.
412
hamlet
[act v
Laer. I do confess't. King. Our son shall win.
Queen. He's fat and scant of breath. 290
Here, Hamlet, take my napkin, rub thy brows. The Queen carouses to thy fortune, Hamlet.
Ham. Good madam.
King. Gertrude, do not drink.
Queen. I will, my lord, I pray you pardon me. 295 She drinks [and offers the cup to Hamlet]. King, [aside] It is the poison'd cup. It is too late. Ham. I dare not drink yet, madam—by and by. Queen. Come, let me wipe thy face. Laer. My lord, I'll hit him now. King. I do not think't.
Laer. [aside] And yet it is almost against my conscience. 300 Ham. Come for the third, Laertes. You do but dally.
I pray you pass with your best violence.
I am afeard you make a wanton of me. Laer. Say you so ? Come on. They play.
Osr. Nothing neither way. 305 Laer. Have at you now. [Laertes wounds Hamlet; then,] in
scuffling, they change rapiers.
King. Part them; they are incensed.
Ham. Nay, come again.   [He wounds Laertes.] The Queen falls.
289.] Q_2; A touch, a touch, I do confesse. F; I, I grant, a tuch, a tuch. Qi. 291. Here, Hamlet, take my] 0_z (subst.), Q_i (subst.); Heere's a F. 295 S.D.] Wilson, qfterCapell; Shee drinkes. Qz ; not in Q_2,F. 296. aside] Rome. 300. aside] Rowe. it is] Qji; 'tisF. against] Q2; 'gainstF. 301. third, Laertes.] Johnson; third Laertes, Q_2; third. Laertes, F. do] 0_g; not in F. 303. afeard] F; sure Q_g. 304 S.D.] Play F; not in Q2. 306 S.D.] Sisson; Laertes . . . rapiers, and Hamlet wounds Laertes. Rowe; In scuffling they change Rapiers. F; They catch one anothers Rapiers, and both are wounded, Leartes falles downe, the Queene falles downe and dies. Q_i; not in Q2. 308. come again.] Q.2^2; come, againe. F; come! again! Kittredge. 308 S.D.] Sisson (cf. 306 S.D. Rowe, 0_i); Queen falls. Capell; not in Q_2,F.
289. / do confess't.] A touch, a touch in F and Q_i, though more felicitous than most such additions, may be actors' embroidery.
290. fat] sweaty; alternatively, out of condition, ln.
291. napkin] handkerchief. 302. pass] thrust.
303. make a wanton of] toy with. A wanton, a spoilt child.
305. Nothing neither way.] Commentators conjecture a lock of weapons or a simultaneous hit; but, no reason being given for this adjudication, the producer has a free hand.
306 S.D. they change rapiers] ln.
hamlet
sc. n]
Osr. Look to the Queen there, ho!
tfor. They bleed on both sides. How is it, my lord ? 310 Osr. How is't, Laertes?
Laer. Why, as a woodcock to mine own springe, Osric.
' I am justly kill'd with mine own treachery. Ham. How does the Queen?
jfyj^. She swoons to see them bleed.
Queen. No, no, the drink, the drink! O my dear Hamlet! 315
The drink, the drink! I am poison'd. Dies. Ham. O villainy! Ho! Let the door be lock'd.
Treachery! Seek it out. [Exit Osric]
Laer. It is here, Hamlet. Hamlet, thou art slain.
No medicine in the world can do thee good; 320
In thee there is not half an hour's life.
The treacherous instrument is in thy hand,
Unbated and envenom'd. The foul practice
Hath turn'd itself on me. Lo, here I lie,
Never to rise again. Thy mother's poison'd. 325
I can no more. The King—the King's to blame. Ham. The point envenom'd too! Then, venom, to thy work.
Wounds the King.
All. Treason! treason!
310. is it] Q_2; is't F. 312. own] Qje; not in F. 314. swoons] sounds 0_2,F, swounes Q.5, swounds F3, swoons Q, 1676. 3'5-16-] As Q-2> 3 lines divided drinke. / Oh . . . drinke, / I F. 316 S.D.] Rowe (cf. 306S.D. 0_i).
317. Ho!] how Q_2, hoe Q3; How? F. 318 S.D.] This edn; at 354 Jennens. 319. Hamlet, thou] F; thou 0,2. 321. hour's] Q2; houre of F,Q_i. 322. thy] F,Q_i,Q_5; my 0,2.      327 S.D.] Hurts the King / F; not in Q.2.
309. ho!] A call to stop the combat, as in Chaucer, Knight's T., 11. 1706, 2656.
312. a woodcock . . . springe] This combines two proverbs (Tilley F 626, S 788), so that the man who is caught in his own snare beTomes the foolish bird who is easily caught.
318 S.D. Exit Osric] Necessary for the entry before 1. 355, which most eds. delete. But if an editor is to help Shakespeare out, he should not remove a clearly purposed entry but contrive an unobtrusive exit. Dover Wilson has it in the middle of 1. 354,
immediately following the 'shot within', but it may occur more plausibly in the general commotion here.
323. Unbated and envenom'd] See iv. vii. 136-47.
practice] trickery, as at 1v.vii.66,
324. here I lie] Emphasizing Nemesis. Cf. Edmund in Lr v. iii. 174, 'I am here'.
327. venom, to thy work] The hero finally achieves revenge with the same instrument, and the same venom, though not the same treachery, as he suffers it.
414 hamlet [act v
King. O yet defend me, friends. I am but hurt.
Ham. Here, thou incestuous, murd'rous, damned Dane, 330
Drink off this potion. Is thy union here ?
Follow my mother. King dies.
Laer. He is justly serv'd.
It is a poison temper'd by himself.
Exchange forgiveness with me, noble Hamlet.
Mine and my father's death come not upon thee,
Nor thine on me. Ham. Heaven make thee free of it. I follow thee.
I am dead, Horatio. Wretched Queen, adieu.
You that look pale and tremble at this chance,
That are but mutes or audience to this act,
Had I but time—as this fell sergeant, Death,
Is strict in his arrest—O, I could tell you—
But let it be. Horatio, I am dead,
Thou livest. Report me and my cause aright
To the unsatisfied. Hor. Never believe it. 345
335 Dies.
340
330. Here] F; Heare Q_2. murd'rous] F; not in Q_2. 331. off] F; of Q_s. thy union] F,0_i; the Onixe Q2. 332 S.D.] F,Q_r ; not in Q_2. 332-3. He . . . himseE] As F; one line Q2. 336 S.D.] F,Q_i; not in Q_2.
344. livest] Q2; liu'st F.      cause aright] Qa; causes right F.
331- Drink off this potion.'] Objection has been made to Hamlet's forcing the liquor on the King. But death from the cup as well as the sword is necessary so that (1) treachery falls on the inventor's head - cf. 11. 313, 333> 390; (a) the King is punished for the Queen he has destroyed by being joined with her m death.
thy union] (1) the pearl of 11. 269, 284; (2) the King's marriage, of which the poisoned cup thus becomes the symbol. Cf. Bradley, p. 151.
333. temper'd] mixed, concocted. Cf. Cym. v.v.250, 'to temper poisons'; Rom. m.v.97; Ado 11. ii. 19.
334-7. Exchange forgiveness . . . follow thee.] These important lines emphasize the distinction between Laertes and the King in their rela-
tion with Hamlet, too often overlooked by those who regard them as merely partners in crime. Note esp. my father's death, Cf. 11. 77-8, 222-49. come, subjunctive.
337- fTte] absolved.
338. Wretched] unhappy, pitiable. Cf. 11. ii. 168; iv.vii. 181.
340. mutes] lit. actors without speaking parts, hence non-participants.
341. sergeant] an officer of the courts whose duties included the making of arrests. Death as a 'fell arrest' occurs also in Sann. ucxiv. The metaphor was traditional, ln.
342. strict] both just and inescapable.
345. unsatisfied] inadequately informed. Cf. 1. 384, 'yet unknowing'.
sc.
Ham
hamlet
I am more an antique Roman than a Dane. Here's yet some liquor left.
As th'art a man Give me the cup. Let go, by Heaven I'll ha't.
0 God, Horatio, what a wounded name,
Things standing thus unknown, shall I leave behind me. If thou didst ever hold me in thy heart, 351
Absent thee from felicity awhile, And in this harsh world draw thy breath in pain To tell my story. A march afar off and shot within.
What warlike noise is this ?
Enter Osric.
Osr. Young Fortinbras, with conquest come from Poland, To the ambassadors of England gives 356 This warlike volley.
Ham. O, I die, Horatio.
The potent poison quite o'ercrows my spirit.
1 cannot live to hear the news from England,
But I do prophesy th'election lights 360 On Fortinbras. He has my dying voice.
346. antique] antické Qj2, Antike F,Q,i, antique Q5. 347-8- As . . . ha't.] As Q.2; divided Cup. / LetF. 348. ha't] Q2 (hate); haue't F. 349. God] Qj>; good F; fie Q_i 350. shall I leave] Q_2; shall Hue F; wouldst thou leaue Q./; shall't leave conj. Nowottny; shall leave conj. Maxwell. 354 S.D.] Steevens; A march a farre off. Q2; March afarre off, and shout within. F. Enter Osric.] Q_2,F; not in Capell; Osric goes to the door and returns. Evans. 356-7. To... volley.] As Pope; one line Q2,F. 356. the ambassadors] Pope;
th'embassadors Q.2,F.
346. antique Roman] i.e. one who prefers suicide to unworthy life. Cf. Caes. v.iii.89; Ant. 1v.xv.87; Mac. v. viii. 1.
350. shall I leave] Q.2 is suspect because of the metre and the apparent error of leaue for Hue at m.iv. 160. But metrical redundancy would encourage corruption in F, and leave here has the support of Q,i. The conjectures shall't (= shall it) leave and, still more, shall (= shall I) leave (MLR, lii, 161-7; liv, 395-6) regularize metre at the expense of syntax.
35a. felicity] Cf. the dying words of Juliet in Painter's Palace of Pleasure
(n. novel 25), 'death the end of sorrow, and beginning of felicity'. Cf. below, 1. 383 n.
354. S.D. Enter Osric] See 1. 318 S.D. n.
358. o'ercrows] triumphs over (like a victorious cock).
360. th'election] for the new king of Denmark. Cf. i.ii. 1 ln.
361. He has my . . . voice.] As Hamlet had had Claudius's voice, m. ii. 332-3. The importance naturally attaching to a monarch's own view of his successor is reflected here, as in the concern for Elizabeth's deathbed nomination of James.
416 hamlet [act v
So tell him, with th'occurrents more and less Which have solicited—the rest is silence. Dies. Hor. Now cracks a noble heart. Good night, sweet prince, And flights of angels sing thee to thy rest. 365
{March within.]
Why does the drum come hither?
Enter Fortinbras, and the English Ambassadors, and Soldiers with drum and colours.
Fort. Where is this sight ?
Hor. What is it you would see ?
If aught of woe or wonder, cease your search. Fort. This quarry cries on havoc. O proud Death,
362. th'occurrents] 0_s; theoccurrentsF. 363. solicited—]Jennens; solicited, O.2; solicited.F. silence.] Q.2; silence. O, o, o, o. F. 363 S.D.] F; not in Q.2. 364. cracks] Q.2; cracke F. 365 S.D.] Cambridge; opp. 366 Capell. 366 S.D.] This edn, after Sisson; Enter Fortenbrasse, with the Embassadors. Q.2; Enter Fortinbras and English Ambassador, with Drumme, Colours, and Attendants. F; Enter Voltemar and the Ambassadors from England, enter Fortenbrasse with his traine. Q.I.      367. you] Q.2; ye F.      369. This] Q.2; His F.
362. occurrents] — occurrences. 'Common in 16th and 17th c' (OED).
363. solicited—] urged (me to give it him).
silence] Cf. Psalm cxv. 17 ('go down into silence'), 2 Esdras vii. 32 ('dwell in silence').
364. sweet] Frequent as an epithet of affection. Cf. 1n.ii.53.
365. fights of angels . . . rest] No specific source can be alleged or should be sought for so traditional a conception. But cf. e.g. the antiphon of the old Latin burial service, 'In paradisum deducant te angeli . . . Chorus angelorum te suscipiat . . . aeternam habeas requiem'; Everyman, 11. 891-3, 'Methinketh that I hear angels sing ... where Everyman's soul received shall be'. See R. M. Frye, Sh. and Christian Doctrine, pp. 135-6. Not all who quote this line recognize that sing is optative.
368. wonder] calamity, extreme wretchedness. The alliterative phrase
preserves this archaic sense. In the ballad Northumberland betrayed by Douglas (Child, hi.411), 'Woe and wonder be them among' is the imprecation upon the betrayers. See OED wonder sb. 5.
369. quarry] heap of dead (lit. of deer killed in the hunt).
cries on havoc] loudly proclaims wholesale slaughter. Havoc was a battle-cry meaning 'No quarter' and inciting to slaughter and pillage. Cf. Caes. in.i.273 ('Cry "Havoc!" and let slip the dogs of war'), John 11.i.357 ('Cry "havoc!" kings; back to the stained field'), Cor. m.i.275. The peculiarly Shakespearean use of a hunting metaphor (cf. quarry), as also in Caes. and Cor., by imaging soldiers as hounds, intensifies the savagery. The word for the signal came to be used for the consequent devastation, so that, notwithstanding Caes. and John but as the context shows, it is not here a call for further slaughter or vengeance but a description of the
sc.
hamlet
417 37°
What feast is toward in thine eternal cell, That thou so many princes at a shot So bloodily hast struck ?
/st Ambass. The sight is dismal;
And our affairs from England come too late. The ears are senseless that should give us hearing To tell him his commandment is fulfill'd, 375 That Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are dead. Where should we have our thanks ?
Hor. Not from his mouth,
Had it th'ability of life to thank you. He never gave commandment for their death. But since, so jump upon this bloody question, 380 You from the Polack wars and you from England Are here arriv'd, give order that these bodies High on a stage be placed to the view, And let me speak to th'yet unknowing world How these things came about. So shall you hear 385 Of carnal, bloody, and unnatural acts, Of accidental judgments, casual slaughters,
382. arriv'd,] Q.2; arriued. F.      384. th' yet] F;
371. shot] Q_2; shooteF. yet Q,2.
scene with which Fortinbras is confronted. To cry on is to cry out loud (sometimes in outrage), as in Oth. v. i.48 ('that cries on murder'), R3 v. iii. 231 ('cried on victory').
370. What feast . . . cell] The metaphor is not, as sometimes supposed, of Valhalla, where souls feast after death, but of Death feasting on the slain. Cf. 1H6 iv. v. 7, John 11. i. 354. toward, in preparation.
372. dismal] (much stronger in meaning than now) dreadful. Cf. 11. h.452 and n.
380. jump upon . v. question] at the precise moment of this bloody affair. For jump, see i.i.68; question, topic for discussion, i.e. the 'sight' of 1L 367, 372.
383. stage] platform. Cf. accounts of Romeo and Juliet: 'The magistrates ordained that the two dead bodies should be erected upon a stage to the
view and sight of the whole world' (Painter); 'the corses . . . Should be set forth upon a stage, high raised from the ground' (Brooke, 11. 2818-■9)-
386-8. Of carnal. . . fore'd cause] We need not suppose this a systematic classification. Examples of each kind will readily occur to everyone. Carnal applies to the incestuous marriage, unnatural (cf. i.v.25) to the fratricide. The consequential deaths of Polonius, Hamlet, Laertes, Claudius are all bloody. Judgments in casual slaughters are seen in the deaths of Polonius (cf. in. iv. 175-6), Laertes and the Queen; deaths put on by cunning in those of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern and of Hamlet himself.
387. accidental judgments] divine judgments manifested in seeming accidents.
casual] (seemingly) due to chance.
4i8
HAMLET
[ACT V
Of deaths put on by cunning and forc'd cause,
And, in this upshot, purposes mistook
FalPn on th'inventors' heads. All this can I 390
Truly deliver. Fort. Let us haste to hear it,
And call the noblest to the audience.
For me, with sorrow I embrace my fortune.
I have some rights of memory in this kingdom,
Which now to claim my vantage doth invite me. 395 Hor. Of that I shall have also cause to speak,
And from his mouth whose voice will draw on more.
But let this same be presently perform'd
Even while men's minds are wild, lest more mischance
On plots and errors happen. Fort. Let four captains 400
Bear Hamlet like a soldier to the stage,
For he was likely, had he been put on,
To have prov'd most royal; and for his passage,
The soldier's music and the rite of war
Speak loudly for him. 405
388. forc'd] F; for no Q,2. 390. th'inventors'] 0,2; the Inuentors F. 394. rights] Q.2,0.1; Rites F. 395-] one line Q,2; divided doth / Inuite F. now] Q,2,Q,i; are F. 396. also] Q,2; alwayes F. 397-] one line 0.2; divided mouth / Whose F. on] F; no Q,2. 399-] one line Q_2; divided wilde, / Lest F. while] O.2; whiles F. 403.] one line Q,2; dividedroyally: / AndF.      royal] 0,2,0,1> royally F.      404. rite] Wilson; right Qji; rites F.
388. put on] instigated.
forc'd] contrived. Cf. Oth. i.iii. m, 'indirect and forced courses'.
389-90. purposes mistook . . . heads] Cf. above, 11. 312-13, 323-4, 332-3. While here specifically applied (in this upshot) to the final stratagems of Claudius and Laertes, this is of course a dominant motif of the play, particularly manifest elsewhere in the fates of Rosencrantz and Guilden-stern (cf. m.iv. 208-9) and generally in the whole story of murder and revenge. Cf. in. ii. 206-7.
394. of memory] unforgotten.
395. vantage] favourable opportunity.
397. whose voice] See 1. 361 above.
draw on more] induce further voices (to be given for Fortinbras).
398. same] aforesaid. See 11. 382-5 above.
presently] at once.
399. wild] violently agitated.
400. On] on top of (Abbott 180, 'in consequence of).
400-1. Let four captains . . . like a soldier] Cf. Cor. v.vi. 148-9, 'Take him up. Help, three o'th' chiefest soldiers; I'll be one'.
401. the stage] See I. 383 above.
402. put on] set to it, put to the test.
403. for his passage] to mark his passing. Cf. m.iii.86.
405. Speak] subjunctive (Abbott 364)-
sc.
"]
HAMLET
Take up the bodies. Such a sight as this Becomes the field, but here shows much amiss. Go, bid the soldiers shoot.
Exeunt marchings [bearing off the bodies,] after which a peal of ordnance is shot off.
406. bodies] 0,2; body F,Q,i. 408 S.D. Exeunt marching] F; Exeunt 0.2.
bearing off the bodies] Capell.      after ...off]F (subst.); not in Q.2.
408 S.D.] Writing to Ellen Terry and Hamlet carried off on the shields,
about Robertson's Hamlet on 8 Sept. with the "ordnance shot off within"
^97, Shaw said, 'I gave Forbes a de- just as the wily William planned
scription of what the end ought to be it . . .' like. Fortinbras with a winged helmet