Page 279 - Hamlet: The Cambridge Dover Wilson Shakespeare

17* NOTES 2.3.

3. 4. 166 'common-kissing Titan' and 1 Hen. IF,
2. 4. 133-34 'Didst thou never see Titan kiss a dish of
butter?' Tilley (v. previous note) supports the emenda-
tion as being in keeping with the incorruptible or divine
nature of the sun, insisted upon in all proverbial or
literary expressions of the idea, especially in that of
Tertullian, which occurring in an attack upon the
theatre may have been familiar to Shakespeare. The fact
that 'god' and 'good' are sometimes confused in this
(cf. notes 4. 5.40, 71; 5. 2. 342) and other Qq. seems
at first sight to lend support also. But 'good' is far more
often spelt 'god' than vice versa; and 'good kissing' is
textually very difficult to set aside. The two versions give
different meanings, both convenient to the context; but
the cynicism of the unemended text is more appropriate
to Ham.'s mood than War burton's 'noble emendation,'
as Johnson called it. Cf. also next note.
184.* Let her not walk fth'sun 'Oph. is likewise
"a good kissing carrion"; therefore let her not walk
i'th'sun' (Herford). That Ham. has in mind the
proverbial 'Out of God's blessing into the warm sun,'
which is applicable to fallen women as to outcasts in
general (cf. note 1. 2. 67 and G. 'sun'), is shown by
'conception is a blessing?
185. but asyourdaughter (Q2) F i ' b u t not as your
daughter' The Q 2 reading is subtler and more in Ham.'s
manner; cf. MSH. pp. 256-57.
195. Between who? Again harping on the daughter;
cf. 'country matters' (3. 2. 114).
197. Slanders> sir etc. The old man, as appears from
'if like a crab you could go backward,' retreats in fright
as the 'mad' Ham. bears down on him enforcing point
after point of the 'satirical rogue' with an accusing
finger. (Cf. Capell, Notes, i. 131.) For the 'rogue'
War burton suggests Juvenal (e.g. Sat. x. 188).
199-200. eyes.. .plum-tree gum Cf. Greene's Tu
Q e , 1611 (Hazlitt, Dodsley, xi. 282) 'Surely I was