The Shakespeare Conference: SHK 12.0143 Tuesday, 23 January 2001
From: L. Swilley <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.>
Date: Sunday, 21 Jan 2001 11:04:19 -0600
Subject: 12.0125 Re: Hamlet's Family
Comment: Re: SHK 12.0125 Re: Hamlet's Family
Ms. Peterson-Kranz wrote,
"If we play the "what if-speculation" game, it seems like part of
Claudius's master plan might have been to get rid of Hamlet, THEN find a
way of getting rid of Gertrude ... And of course, if Claudius managed
to eliminate Gertrude while Hamlet was on his way to his death in
England, he wouldn't have to explain it to her at all."
But Claudius, in his soliloquy, says he is "still possessed of those
effects for which I did the murder -... my queen." I suppose that
"queen" here might indeed be construed as merely another aspect of his
political ambitions, as Ms. Peterson-Kranz suggests, but it would
dangerously lighten Claudius' character if his problem is not extended
by a passionate love for this lady.
L. Swilley