The Shakespeare Conference: SHK 16.2014  Wednesday, 7 December 2005

From: 		Sarah Cohen <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.>
Date: 		Tuesday, 06 Dec 2005 18:09:38 -0800
Subject: 	Hic et ubique

I am interested in the question raised by Frank Whigham in the 
"Shadowplay" thread (SHK 16.2002  Monday, 5 December 2005).

 >"What does your reading make of the way that Hamlet repeatedly moves his
 >men around the stage when he swears them to silence and the ghost
 >beneath the stage also says "swear!"? Most of the readers I know think
 >he's moving them away from the ghost, in fear or wariness. "Hic et
 >ubique? Then we'll change our ground" (1.5.164 in Jenkins, whose LNs on
 >this are subtle and apt)."

Do most of the members of this list think Hamlet is moving away from the 
ghost? If so, why?

I have always thought that Hamlet is moving towards the ghost during the 
swearing business. After all, he has spent the entire scene chasing it. 
His attraction to it is so strong, in fact, that, when it first appears, 
he threatens to kill the men who are holding him back ("I'll make a 
ghost of him that lets me"). If Hamlet's fear and wariness overpowers 
his need to search for his noble father in the dust (or the cellarage), 
when does this happen, and why? Have list members seen a production of 
Hamlet where the prince was clearly moving away from the ghost's voice, 
rather than following it? Have any of you played Hamlet that way? Did it 
work?

I am genuinely curious.

Sarah Cohen

P.S. Forgive my ignorance, but where can I find Jenkins and those subtle 
and apt LNs?

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