Page 322 - Hamlet: The Cambridge Dover Wilson Shakespeare

3.4. NOTES 3i?

Agamemnon's ghost as evidence of her guilt, the notion
seems to have been a common one at the period.
I suggest that the 'piteous action' Ham. speaks of is one
of hands outstretched in supplication to Gertrude and
that the Ghost's agitation conveys, first his amazement
that she cannot see or hear him, and then his horror as
he realises the cause. It is only after she has declared
herself completely insensible of his presence that he
'steals away' in shame.
145. unction v. G.
152-53. Forgive me this my virtue.. .times i.e. For-
give the sermon; this degenerate age is so morally flabby
that etc. Both 'fatness' and 'pursy' = out of condition
physically, v. G.
155. curb and woo 'bend and truckle'(Johnson).
161-65. That monster... •put on Fi omits. MSH.
pp. 28-9, 167.
162. Of habits evil (Theobald aft. Thirlby) £>2'Of
habits deuill.' The misprint would be easy (v. MSH.
pp. 320—1), especially as the compositor, like all edd. since
Johnson, may have been misled by a supposed antithesis
between 'devil' and 'angel,'whereas Sh.intends, I think,
to contrast 'monster' with 'angel' and 'habits evil' with
'actions fair and good.'
164. frock or livery Two sorts of uniform: 'frock'
of a monk, suggesting religion, and 'livery' of a servant,
suggesting duty. The image springs from' assume' (v. G.)
and 'habits' (in a quibbling sense) just before.
167-70. the next...potency F i omits. MSH.
pp. 28-9, 167.
169. And either.. .the devil Q2 'And either the
deuill.' The compositor has prob. as so often elsewhere
omitted a word. It is conceivable, on the other hand,
that 'either' (sp. 'eyther') may be a misprint or mis-
correction of 'exorcise,' a word which suits the context
and must come near Sh.'s meaning. For want of a better,
itmay serve to fill the gap in the text. MSH. pp. 302-3.
Q.H.-I8