The Shakespeare Conference: SHK 21.0018 Monday, 11 January 2010
[1] From: Larry Weiss <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.>
Date: Thursday, 07 Jan 2010 23:14:53 -0500
Subj: Re: SHK 21.0010 Good Marriages in Shakespeare
[2] From: Larry Weiss <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.>
Date: Thursday, 07 Jan 2010 23:16:33 -0500
Subj: Re: SHK 21.0010 Good Marriages in Shakespeare
[1]-----------------------------------------------------------------
From: Larry Weiss <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.>
Date: Thursday, 07 Jan 2010 23:14:53 -0500
Subject: 21.0010 Good Marriages in Shakespeare
Comment: Re: SHK 21.0010 Good Marriages in Shakespeare
>This is actually one of the truly fascinating character enigmas in
>Shakespeare: There's nothing that definitively points to Gertrude
>accepting Hamlet's word. But, on >the other hand, there's nothing
>that definitively points the other way, either. Either is an interesting
>choice and either is completely supported by the text.
This brings to mind another odd choice made in the Tennant/Stewart RSC
production. For some reason I cannot fathom, it was decided (contrary to
the text) to have Gertrude present in a reordered part of IV.vii when
Claudius conspires with Laertes to murder Hamlet. The actress registered
shock in a long shot taken over Claudius's shoulder. To my mind, this
choice heightens the ambiguity.
This production does make clear though that C and G are in love; and
Stewart is even a touch uxorious, which I think is consistent with the
text (IV.vii.9-16).
Apropos of my recent post on this subject: This production seemed at
first to make a feint in the direction of Gertrude as alcoholic, but
that got lost (alas!), and her antepenultimate speech ("I will, my lord,
I pry you pardon me.") was confusing.
[2]-----------------------------------------------------------------
From: Larry Weiss <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.>
Date: Thursday, 07 Jan 2010 23:16:33 -0500
Subject: 21.0010 Good Marriages in Shakespeare
Comment: Re: SHK 21.0010 Good Marriages in Shakespeare
My nominees: Duke Humphrey and Eleanor.
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