Page 286 - Hamlet: The Cambridge Dover Wilson Shakespeare

2.2. N O T E S 179

351-52. as it is like most will (anon, apud Camb.
Sh.) F1 'as it is like most.' Pope and most edd. 'as it is
most like.' MSH. p. 303.
352. not better (F2) F i 'no better'—with a trace
of the t' type. MSH. pp. 291-92.
'
357-59. no money bid.. .question Generally ex-
plained: 'the theatre managers would offer nothing for
the plot of a play, unless it concerned the controversy'
(v. G. 'argument'). Verity suggests: 'the public...
would not give a rap for any other subject of debate,'
a rendering which seems less caviary to the general.
3 64-6 5. Hercules and his load too This could not have
been penned before late 1599 when the Globe Theatre,
with its sign of Hercules carrying the globe, was first
opened. The 'too' is noteworthy, implying that 'the
tragedians of the city' were not identical with Sh.'s
company, v. note 2. 2. 332.
366. // is not very strange etc. The fickleness of
popular favour brings Ham. back from Sh.'s London
to Elsinore.
371. S.D. Q2 'A Florish,' F i 'Flourish for the
Players.' Trumpets were used as a means of advertise-
ment by Eliz. players both in the streets of London and
when travelling in the country.
374. Tour hands? come then Q2 'your hands come
then,' Fi 'your hands, come:'—which many edd.
follow. The Qz 'then' makes all the difference. It is
not Ham. but the others who offer to shake hands. He
'complies' for fashion's sake, hinting that he prefers the
company of the players. MSH. pp. 260-62.
379-80. but my uncle.. .deceived Q2 'but my
Vncle-father, and Aunt-mother, are deceaued' The
emphasis-capitals and comma-pauses indicate the pointed
irony of the sally. MSH. p. 202.
382-83*1ambutmad'... I know a hawk from a hand-
saw. One of Ham.'s pregnant quibbles. 'Handsaw'is
generally taken as a corruption of'hernshaw' (•= heron),