The Shakespeare Conference: SHK 16.1625  Monday, 26 September 2005

[1] 	From: 	Jim Blackie <
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	Date: 	Saturday, 24 Sep 2005 09:43:21 -0400 (EDT)
	Subj: 	RE: SHK 16.1605 What Happens in "Hamlet"

[2] 	From: 	Larry Weiss <
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	Date: 	Saturday, 24 Sep 2005 11:54:11 -0400
	Subj: 	Re: SHK 16.1605 What Happens in "Hamlet"


[1]-----------------------------------------------------------------
From: 		Jim Blackie <
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Date: 		Saturday, 24 Sep 2005 09:43:21 -0400 (EDT)
Subject: 16.1605 What Happens in
Comment: 	RE: SHK 16.1605 What Happens in

Very helpful. I'll update my notes with that information. I can readily 
understand why your web site URL has the identifier "scholar."

Do we really need patronizing attitudes in an attempt to discuss this?

Jim Blackie

 >Bill Arnold : "Well, as I have written already on this matter, I will 
respond
 >summarily. Jim and Arnie are walking that yellow brick road that many of
 >us have from Wilson to Bernard Grebanier's Castle of *The Heart of
 >Hamlet." So, I recommend that to spare us all, you top off your golden
 >trip with a look inside the castle, and behind the curtain, and blow
 >away the smoke and see the mirrors! Then, we can relate. Gladly!"

Bill Arnold
http://www.cwru.edu/affil/edis/scholars/arnold.htm

[2]-------------------------------------------------------------
From: 		Larry Weiss <
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Date: 		Saturday, 24 Sep 2005 11:54:11 -0400
Subject: 16.1605 What Happens in "Hamlet"
Comment: 	Re: SHK 16.1605 What Happens in "Hamlet"

I am surprised that none of the experienced sentries who have 
corresponded on this thread have commented about the most striking 
aspect of the opening line:  The wrong sentry issues the challenge. 
Francisco is already on guard and Barnardo approaches to relieve him; so 
Francisco should issue the challenge, as he makes clear in line 2.

I don't recall seeing a performance in which this was made clear, but if 
it is the audience would be alerted in the first line or two that (1) 
something is amiss and (2) the new guard (but not the old) is 
particularly on edge and may be expecting an intruder.  Since the ghost 
walks at the same hour each night, it is to be expected that the sentry 
on duty at that time, but not the sentry he relieves, would be alert to 
the possibility.  Lines 5 and 6 heighten this impression -- Barnardo is 
careful to arrive on time and eager to spare Francisco the horror or to 
prevent the incident from becoming general knowledge.

To my mind, "Who's there?" is the most dramatically effective opening 
line ia all of literature.

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