Page 336 - Hamlet: The Cambridge Dover Wilson Shakespeare

4.7. NOTE S 229

Sh.'s patron, the Earl of Southampton, was created
Master of his Horse by Essex in 1599, while in Ireland;
and this may be the point of the allusion. 'The brooch
indeed And gem of all the nation' would suit well with
Southampton's reputation at this period.
94. confession i.e. 'the unwilling acknowledgment
by a Frenchman of a Dane's superiority' (Dowden).
96. art and exercise = skilful exercise.
99-101. the scrimers.. .opposed them Fl omits.
MSH. p. 31. For 'motion' v. G.
110-22. But that I know.. .easing The Player
King's speech (3. 2. 185-214) expands this notion;
Son. 116 contradicts it.
no . begun by time = created by circumstance. Cf.
note 3. 4. 107.
113-22. There lives.. .by easing F1 omits. MSH.

116-22. plurisy.. .ulcer Sh. here indulges in an
elaborate quibble, v. Introd. p. xxxvii.
117-22. That we would do...easing As many have
noted, these words point the whole moral of Hamlet,
and are a comment (unconscious on Claud.'s part, but
intentional on Sh.'s) upon Ham.'s character, as indeed
much of the action in Act 4 is likewise. Cf. Introd.
p. Ixi.
121. spendthrift sigh Sighing was .supposed to drain
the blood; cf. M.N.D. 3. 2. 97.
125. To cut his throat i'th church An unconscious
reflexion upon Ham.'s conduct in the Prayer-scene; cf.
note 11. 117-22 above.
128. keep close within your chamber 'And now the
K. has but one anxiety—to prevent the young men
meeting before the fencing match. For who can tell
what Ham. might say in his defence, or how enchant-
ing his tongue might prove?' (Bradley, p. 143).
135-37. the foils.. .unbated v. note 5. 2. 222 S.D.
137. a pass of practice A quibble: (a) a bout for