One keeps in mind, amusement of the common crowd was one of Shakespeare's objectives in writing ''Hamlet.''  He had to do that to make a living.  He achieved that objective, of common crowd amusement, much better than the historical ''Hamlet'' commentary has recognized.

One keeps in mind, amusement of the common crowd was one of Shakespeare's objectives in writing ''Hamlet.''  He had to do that to make a living.  He achieved that objective, of common crowd amusement, much better than the historical ''Hamlet'' commentary has recognized.

Kindly pardon me for pointing out that the common crowd is amused by flatulence.  Which produces air pollution, that is, an unpleasant smell.  Should the atmospheric effect become bad enough, it is enough to make a person want to leave a room.

Kindly pardon me for pointing out that the common crowd is amused by flatulence.  Which produces air pollution, that is, an unpleasant smell.  Should the atmospheric unpleasantness become bad enough, it is enough to make a person want to leave a room.

Claudius is not, of course, leaving just because a servant asked him to.  A king would not do that.  Claudius is leaving because he is finding the air in the room too polluted, by Polonius, to tolerate any longer.  When Polonius said "away" it sounded to Claudius like the best idea he had heard all day.  Claudius is exiting to go out to the courtyard and get some fresh air.  Claudius does want very much to learn everything he can about Hamlet, but he has decided that being able to breathe is a higher priority at the moment.

Claudius is not, of course, leaving just because a servant asked him to.  A king would not do that.  Claudius is leaving because he is finding the air in the room too polluted, by Polonius, to tolerate any longer.  When Polonius said "away" it sounded to Claudius like the best idea he had heard all day.  Claudius is exiting to go out to the courtyard and get some fresh air.  Claudius does want very much to learn everything he can about Hamlet, but he has decided that being able to breathe is a higher priority at the moment.

In action, Claudius rises immediately after Polonius's "away" line, and walks briskly toward the Royal Doorway, stage right.  Gertrude is close behind Claudius, and the rest of the court is close behind them.  The departure is very brisk.  Given the chance now, they are all eager to escape Polonius's air pollution.

In action, Claudius rises immediately after Polonius's "away" line, and walks briskly toward the Royal Doorway, stage right.  Gertrude is close behind Claudius, and the rest of the court is close behind them.  The departure is very brisk.  Given the chance now, they are all eager to escape Polonius's air pollution.