This page is introductory to the "Folio Difference" notes I provide for the playscript of ''Hamlet'' on this website.

This page is introductory to the "Folio Difference" Notes I provide for the playscript of ''Hamlet'' on this website.

Some specific, and significant, differences exist in the First Folio version of ''Hamlet'' (1623) as compared to the Second Quarto version (1604-5.)  In providing a publication of the play, it's necessary to choose one or the other to follow, where a substantive difference exists between those publications.  So, this is all about how I made the necessary choices for ''Hamlet'' as I present it here.

Some specific, and significant, differences exist in the First Folio version of ''Hamlet'' (1623) as compared to the Second Quarto version (1604-5.)  In providing a publication of the play, it's necessary to choose one or the other to follow, where a substantive difference exists between those publications.  So, this is all about how I made the necessary choices for ''Hamlet'' as I present it here.

For example, on the page [[Scene 2 Folio Differences]] you will find the following item:

For example, on the page [[Scene 2 Folio Differences]] you will find the following item:

  038  ''Of these {delated} [dilated] articles...''

  038

  ''Of these {delated} [dilated] articles...''

   

   

  delated

  delated

Spelling was not standardized in Shakespeare's time, which means that Q2 and F1 have many differences in the spellings of the same words.  This discussion concerns differences in wording, not differences in spelling, so no attention is paid to trivial spelling differences between Q2 and F1.

Spelling was not standardized in Shakespeare's time, which means that Q2 and F1 have many differences in the spellings of the same words.  This discussion concerns differences in wording, not differences in spelling, so no attention is paid to trivial spelling differences between Q2 and F1.

However, in a few cases, Shakespeare intentionally used a special spelling technique, for example, "seale/Selfe" in line 02-134, which are, surprisingly, the same word.  (In that line, "seale" is a special spelling of the word "self," done to achieve a certain effect.)  I do discuss cases where it can be reasonably concluded that the author used a special spelling for effect or to add additional meaning.

However, in a few cases, Shakespeare intentionally used a special spelling technique, for example, "seale/Selfe" in line 02-134, which are, surprisingly, the same word.  (In that line, "seale" is a special spelling of the word "self," done to achieve a certain effect.)  I do discuss cases where it can be reasonably concluded that the author used a special spelling for effect or for additional meaning.

Not every difference between Q2 and F1 is marked in the lines that are quoted, only the relevant words are shown in {braces} or [brackets].  In most cases, the quoted line is basically the line as it appears in Q2.  I sometimes shorten the quoted line, and use an ellipsis to mark that.

Not every difference between Q2 and F1 is marked in the lines that are quoted, only the relevant words are shown in {braces} or [brackets].  In most cases, the quoted line is basically the line as it appears in Q2.  I sometimes shorten the quoted line, and use an ellipsis to mark that.