The Shakespeare Conference: SHK 8.0897.  Friday, 5 September 1997.

From:           Louis C Swilley <
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Date:           Thursday, 4 Sep 1997 12:26:16 -0500 (CDT)
Subject:        Ophelia and Claudius

1) Where and when has the dutiful Ophelia had the opportunity - and
inclination - to learn the bawdy songs she sings in her madness? In his
*Wilhelm Meister*, Goethe has his hero account for the inclination, but
not for the opportunity. Anyone...?

2) Has anyone seen a production of Hamlet in which Claudius hesitates
before asking Hamlet to remain at court rather than return to
Wittenberg? I suppose that, swung into without pause, Claudius' gesture
here is a bit of swaggering, misplaced self-confidence in his new
authority?

L. Swilley, Houston