Page 256 - Hamlet: The Cambridge Dover Wilson Shakespeare

i.a. NOTES 149

'Counsaile: as' which I take for a misp. of 'Counsailors,'
v. MSH. p. 110. The occasion of the scene, as is clear
from the business transacted, is a meeting of the King's
Council, the first since the double event just celebrated
of the royal marriage and coronation. The entry of Ham.
is significant; it is his first, and he comes in, with dejected
mien, last of the court figures, a black figure against a
blaze of colour. The F1 S.D., universally followed,
ruins this effect by leaving out the Councillors, intro-
ducing Oph., and giving Ham. his entry in order of rank
immediately after the Queen. Cf. Sh.Eng. ii. 271 and
MSH. pp. 34, 183.
14-16. nor have we.. .thanks These words, addressed
directly to the Lords of the Council, show that Claudius
has secured the succession by winning them over, no
doubt with the aid of Pol.
17. know, young Q2 and F 1 omit comma. Edd.
print 'know: young' The 'that' = that which.
21. Colleaguid The antecedent is 'supposal';
'advantage' = superiority.
24. bands (Q2) Fi 'Bonds' The two forms are
used indifferently by Sh., v. G.
26-7. Now.. .time of meeting.. .business is This,
if nothing else, would stamp the scene as a formal
meeting of the Council.
28. Fortinbras— Cj 2 'Fortenbrasse' 30. purpose—
Q2 'purpose;' The Q2 semicolon gives the same effect
as the dashes, which will be more easily understood by
the modern reader.
34. Valtemand v. Names of'the Characters above.
44-9. You cannot.. .thy father The K. thus grace-
fully acknowledges the debt he owes to his chief
councillor; cf. note 11. 14-16 above. The change from
'you' to 'thou' is significant of his desire to appear
friendly. 'The K. positively coos over Laer., caressing
him with his name four times in nine lines' (Harold
Child j privately).