Page 308 - Hamlet: The Cambridge Dover Wilson Shakespeare

3.2. NOTES 201

show, lie must have known that there was offence in it.
Is it allowable to direct that the King and Queen should
be whispering confidentially to each other during the
dumb-show, and so escape a sight of it ?' The whispering
is naturally accounted for by Ham.'s conduct; cf. notes
11. 107-108 and 124-25 above. The Dumb-show is, in
Oph.'s words, the 'argument of the play,' and as such
is unique in Eliz. drama (v. G. and Creizenach, Eng.
Drama, p. 390). That the K. did not see it is, I think,
proved by his question at 1. 231 'Have you heard the
argument? is there no offence in't?' It is equally certain
that Ham. did not expect it; he had told 1 Player what
he thought about dumb-shows at 3.2.12, and his anxiety
after the show is over is evident (v. notes 11.13 5,139-40).
135.* mlchlng malkcho v. G. Ham. refers to the
mischievous behaviour of the players in surreptitiously
interposing a dumb-show which almost ruins his plot by
prematurely disclosing the Mouse-trap.
137-3 8. the argument of the play v. note 1.13 3 S.D.
{Hamlet seems troubled etc.). Sh. thus informs us of his
purpose in introducing the Dumb-show, i.e. to tell his
audience what they are to expect, and so sharpen their
anticipation, v. G. 'dumb-show.'
138. S.D. Q2 'Enter Prologue.' After a dumb-
show the stage-practice was to bring on a Presenter or
Chorus to explain its meaning (cf. 'inexplicable dumb-
shows,' 1.12). Thus when 'this fellow' enters both Ham.
and Sh.'s audience take him for a Presenter, and Ham.'s
fears lest he should divulge his secret in words are clear
from 11. 139-40.
139-40. Tie players.. .tell all If the K. had seen
the dumb-show, the players would already have told
him all. Ham.'s fears for what 'this fellow' may say
show that so far the secret is safe.
142. Ay, or any show etc. Cf. Jonson's Conversations
with Drummond (Jonson, i. 140, 1. 293) and note
]1. 245-46 below.