The Shakespeare Conference: SHK 12.0321 Monday, 12 February 2001
From: Stephanie Hughes <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.>
Date: Thursday, 08 Feb 2001 22:09:15 +0000
Subject: 12.0301 The Ambitious Norway
Comment: Re: SHK 12.0301 The Ambitious Norway
> My question/s:
>
> If "ambitious Norway" and the [Old King] Fortinbras that Old King Hamlet
> "did slay" are one in the same, then
>
> 1. how would Horatio know what armor Old King Hamlet wore at the time,
> assuming that Horatio, Hamlet's school chum, are roughly the same age?
>
> and
>
> 2. has Fortinbras been holding a grudge against Denmark for at least
> thirty years of his undetermined life span?
>
> Puzzled,
> Hardy
Perhaps it was the style for kings and other heroes to wear on state
occasions the armour they wore when they won their greatest victories,
just as the armor of Henry VIII is displayed in the Tower of London.
Is it unusual for a son to resent the defeat of his father and wish to
erase it once he's old enough and strong enough?
Stephanie Hughes