Page 361 - Hamlet: The Cambridge Dover Wilson Shakespeare

254 NOTE S 5.2.

4. 7. 94-101). 'Better' is a favourite vb. with Sh.;
v. Schmidt's Lexicon. At one time I favoured £>2's
reading, explaining it as 'the proposer of the bet'; but
I think now that had Sh. intended this he would have
written 'the better'; v. MSH. pp. 284-5 for discussion.
263. These foils.. .length? Rapier-blades at this
time might vary in length from 3 ft. 8 in. to 5 ft. 5 in.,
and the length was supposed to give an advantage in
thrusting (v. Castle, Schools and Masters of Fence,
pp. 319-30 and Plates I, 12, VI, 7, 8). But Ham.'s
enquiry is perfunctory; he does 'not peruse the foils'
(cf. 4. 7. 133-35).
264. S.D. Q2 (none), F i 'Prepare to play'—
a direction, I take it, not only to Ham. and perhaps Laer.
to don the mailed gloves, breastplate, etc. (v. end of
note 1. 222 S.D. above), but also to the attendants to
prepare a suitable arena. The K.'s next speech shows
that flagons of wine are brought in at this point (not at
1. 222 as F i directs) and placed on a side-table while
cups are set on some table or stand at his side. Poel {Sh.
in the Theatre, p. 174) suggests that one of the cups
already contains the poison. This would make the
attendants accomplices. The poisoning was done by
means of the 'union' in a fashion all the more effective
that it was left to the imagination of the audience (cf.
Creizenach, Engl. Drama, p. 219 for poisonings in other
plays). Moreover, though the K. says 'give me the
cups,' it is clear from 11. 269-70 that he uses one only.
266-67. If Hamlet give.. .exchange i.e. If he wins
the first or second bout, or even draws the third ('quit in
answer' = give as good as he gets). In any of these three
events Ham. will still stand a chance, since if he scores
a single hit in the first three rounds Laer. will only be
one up, and even if the latter wins the first two straight
off a draw in the third may mean a turn of the tide. As
a matter of fact, it is Ham. who wins the first two, while
he draws the third.