Shakespeare Electronic Conference, Vol. 3, No. 292.  Monday, 2 November 1992.
 
From: 		Tom Loughlin <LOUGHLIN@FREDONIA.BITNET>
Date: 		Sunday, Nov. 1, 1992, 9:25 pm EST
Subject: 	Claudius/Ghost
 
Kay asks about the doubling of Claudius and the Ghost of Hamlet's father.
That's a doubling that is very probable and done quite frequently in profes-
sional productions.  Directors of the play seem to feel that doing that makes
the physical resemblence more evident, and as in all doubling, it saves a
salary.  The other probable doubling in that show is Polonius and the First
Gravedigger.  Can't say whether Shakespeare himself actually did it, but I
posted my opinion on the theatrical probabilities of doubling a while back.
I think it's very likely, but I can't say I have any evidence beyond my thea-
trical instincts and experience.
 
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