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Line 855 - Commentary Note (CN)

Commentary notes (CN):

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In the 1st two lines of a record, when the name of the source text (the siglum) is printed in SMALL CAPS, the comment comes from an EDITION; when it is in normal font, it is derived from a book, article, ms. record or other source. We occasionally use small caps for ms. sources and for works related to editions. See bibliographies for complete information (in process).

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Notes for lines 0-1017 ed. Bernice W. Kliman

For explanation of sigla, such as jen, see the editions bib.

855 And lay your hands againe vpon my sword,	1.5.158

1864 Walker

Walker

855-8 Walker (1864, 3:263) advocates a comma after sword in 855 and the F1 placement of 857, along with the Q2 repetition by the ghost: “The ghost’s ‘Swear by his sword’—if this, the reading of the quarto or quartos, be correct—is, as it were, an echo of Hamlet’s words.”

1866 cam1

cam1: Q1, Q2, F1

855-7 Clark & Wright (ed. 1866): “The first Quarto supports the order of the words as found in the Folio. Perhaps we might follow it and arrange the words of the Folio in three lines ending ‘hands’ . . .‘speak’ . . . ‘sword.’”

1874 Corson

Corson: F1; cam1

855-7 Corson (1874, p. 16): “Here [cam1] construes again, as in [850-1], the clause ‘Never to speak of this that you have heard,’ with ‘Swear by my sword.’ But the true meaning is certainly that indicated by the punctuation of F.: ‘lay your hands again upon my sword, never to speak of this that this that you have heard.’ The ‘Swear by my sword’ is but a repetition of the same idea.”

Ed. note: Corson, in other words, wants three lines ending “ . . . sword, . . . heard. . . . sword.”

1877 v1877

v1877 ≈ Walker; ≈ Corson

855-7 Furness (ed. 1877): “Walker (Crit. iii. 263) was the first to advocate this punctuation of F4; and Corson says: ‘The true meaning is indicated by the comma after “sword.” The “swear by my sword” is but a repetition of the same idea.’ Walker adds: ‘The Ghost’s “Swear by his sword”—if this reading be correct—is, as it were, an echo of Hamlet’s words/’ In the textual notes the punctuation of those editors alone is given who have followed the arrangement of the Ff.”

1934 Wilson

Wilson MSH

855-7 Wilson (1934, p. 69) believes that the comma after sword in 855 allows for a pause “while Hamlet presents the hilt of his weapon, and Horatio and Marcellus step forward to lay their hands upon it. Subject to this natural interpretation the Q2 text seems entirely unexceptionable. 1 But the thrice repeated ‘sword’ apparently disturbed Scribe P, and F1 accordingly prints the passage thus: [quotes 854-8]. And that we owe the rearrangement to Scribe P and not to his successor is, I think proved by Q1, which offers us a report of the F1 version, as follows: [quotes Q1 CLN 616-19].

<n. 1> <p. 69> “1 But cf. Greg. Emendations, p. 571; Aspects, p. 184.” </p.69> </n.1>

Ed. note: Q1, however, does not have the Ghost’s command to Sweare.

1982 ard2

ard2:

855 againe] Jenkins (ed. 1982): “Not as beginning the process afresh but as repeating it. Cf. 845 CN.”

2006 ard3q2

ard3q2: aard2; xref

855 againe] Thompson & Taylor (ed. 2006): “Jenkins, who argues that Horatio and Marcellus swear three times during this sequence, takes this as meaning that Hamlet repeats the ritual rather than that he begins again, but see [879 and CN]”