Shakespeare Electronic Conference, Vol. 5, No. 0491.  Friday, 3 June 1994.
 
(1)     From:   Sean Lawrence <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.>
        Date:   Thursday, 02 Jun 1994 13:39:29 -0300
        Subj:   Re: SHK 5.0487  Re: Light and Heat
 
(2)     From:   W. L. Godshalk <GODSHAWL@UCBEH>
        Date:   Thursday, 02 Jun 1994 16:11:25 -0500 (EST)
        Subj:   Re: SHK 5.0487  Re: Light and Heat
 
 
 
(1)----------------------------------------------------------------------------
From:           Sean Lawrence <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.>
Date:           Thursday, 02 Jun 1994 13:39:29 -0300
Subject: 5.0487  Re: Light and Heat
Comment:        Re: SHK 5.0487  Re: Light and Heat
 
I've heard it suggested that Polonius is speaking from the position of his own
experience; when he was a young man, he chased skirt aggressively, and assumes
that Hamlet (and Laertes, by the way) will do likewise.
 
If so, then he might be unwilling to speak too directly of his own favourite
sort of sin.  It's too close to home.
 
Cheers,
        Sean Lawrence.
 
(2)----------------------------------------------------------------------------
From:           W. L. Godshalk <GODSHAWL@UCBEH>
Date:           Thursday, 02 Jun 1994 16:11:25 -0500 (EST)
Subject: 5.0487  Re: Light and Heat
Comment:        Re: SHK 5.0487  Re: Light and Heat
 
Nick Clary raises an interesting point. If "light" is associated with knowledge
as Spevack claims, and "heat" with "vehemence, games, and disposition," then
Polonius's "blazes" that give "more light then heate" (1.3.118 Folio,
THREE-TEXT HAMLET) seems contradictory. I would expect "more heate then light"
but both Quarto and Folio have this form. Harold Jenkins (Arden ed.) does not
gloss the line. The Furness Variorum isn't much help either. Could Polonius be
punning on "light" as "sensuality" or "levity"?
 
Maybe I'm the only one who's puzzled.
 
Yours, Bill Godshalk

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