Page 339 - Hamlet: The Cambridge Dover Wilson Shakespeare

23* N O T E S 5.1.

resolution, which is the determination of the mind to destroy
himself and to do it in this or that particular way; the third
is the perfection, which is the execution of what the mind
has resolved to do. And this perfection consists of two parts,
viz. the beginning and the end. The beginning is the doing
of the act which causes the death, and the end is the death,
which is only a sequel of the act.
(iii) There was much discussion as to whether Hales
was the 'agent' or the 'patient,' in other words whether
he went to the water or the water came to him; and the
verdict was:
Sir James Hales was dead.. And how came he by his
death? It may be answered by drowning. And who
drowned him? Sir James Hales. And when did he drown
him? In his lifetime. So that Sir James Hales being alive
caused Sir James Hales to die, the act of the living was the
death of the dead man. And for this offence it is reasonable
to punish the living man, who committed the offence, and
not the dead man.
These parallels were first noted by Sir John Hawkins,
the friend of Dr Johnson (v. Furness). The same argu-
ments are likely to have been repeated at any inquest
upon a drowned person and so might come to Sh.'s
knowledge. Cf. Sir D. Plunket Barton, Links between
Sh. and the Law, 1929, pp. 51-4, and The Hist, of the
Common Law, 1934, pp. 307-8, by Dr Harold Potter,
to whom I am-indebted for the first half of this note.
12. argal A corruption of 'ergo'; cf. 'argo,'
2 Ben. VI, 4.2. 31, and SL's 'Addition' to Sir Thomas
More, 1. 5, and v. R. W. Chambers in M.L.R. xxvi.
256-57.
28-9. even-Christen (Q2) Fi 'euen Christian.'
v. G. and cf. Chaucer, Persones Tale, 24 'of his neighe-
bore, that is to seyn, of his evene-cristene.' Here used
collectively. MSH. pp. 276-77.
34-7. Why, he had.,.without arms? (Fi) Q2
omits. MSH. p. 97.