Difference between revisions of "Scene 20 Folio Differences"

Revision as of 15:00, 18 May 2015

This page shows the notable differences that appear in the First Folio publication of Hamlet as compared to the Second Quarto publication, in Scene 20, with analysis of those differences. These Folio Difference Notes are coordinated with the regular Notes on the Scene page.

For an introduction to this material, see the page About the Folio Differences.

395

Horatio: Of that I shall have [also] {always} cause to speak,
also
always

The Second Quarto word also is certainly the easiest to read for plain sense. That is not necessarily a point in its favor in Shakespeare's writing. There's no reason to doubt Shakespeare wrote "also" at some point in his development of the play. However, is it credible he changed also to always during some review or fine tuning of the dialogue, so that the Folio has correctly caught the change?

The First Folio word always can mean "forever," which can be understood as "at any time." BOOKMARK for me, more here

Return: Scene 20#395

406

Take up the [bodies] {body}, such a sight as this
bodies
body

The First Folio editor apparently thought reference was still being made to Hamlet's body, but that is mistaken.

Return: Scene 20#20-406

408-SD

[Exeunt.] {Exeunt Marching: after the which, a peal of ordnance are shot off.}
Exeunt
Exeunt Marching . . . shot off

The First Folio version of Hamlet ends with the stage direction as shown. Since the word "peal" usually means the ringing of a bell, we are reminded of how the play began, which was with the ringing of the midnight bell (or at least, with that strong implication from Bernardo saying that twelve had struck.)

So, the play began with one kind of peal, and, in the Folio, ends with a peal of a different kind. Shakespeare, himself, would probably have been the person most sensitive to this link, between beginning and end, that the use of the word "peal" creates, and while it cannot be certain, I incline to the view that the word "peal" in the final stage direction, as we find it in the First Folio, is from Shakespeare's hand. I include "peal" in the playscript on that basis.

Return: Scene 20#20-408-SD

© 2014 Jeffrey Paul Jordan

All rights reserved. See the Copyright page for further information.