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Line 655 - Commentary Note (CN) More Information

Notes for lines 0-1017 ed. Bernice W. Kliman
For explanation of sigla, such as jen, see the editions bib.
655 And for my soule, what can it doe to that {D2}1.4.66
1844 verp
verp
655-6 Verplanck (ed. 1844): “The difference of emphasis with which this passage was pronounced by Garrick and by Kemble, affords us a fine example of the suggestive or associative effect of emphasis, though no direct change may be made in the sense. Garrick said, rapidly— ‘And for my soul—what can it do to that, Being a thing immortal as itself?’ This is the natural rapid reasoning of a brave man under the dread of supernatural visitation; and in any other character than Hamlet, would be the only proper enunciation. Kemble raised the passage to the dignity of philosophical argument, suited to the meditative Prince, by a double emphasis, necessarily compelling more deliberate utterance—‘And for my soul—what can it do to that, Being a thing immortal as itself?’”
1939 kit2
kit2
655-6 Kittredge (ed. 1939): "This, as well as many other passages, shows that Shakespeare does not mean to represent Hamlet as questioning the main doctrines of Christianity."
1953 Joseph
Joseph
655-6 Joseph (1953, p. 105): Though Hamlet here expresses certainty that the specter can do no harm to his soul, later he realizes (1643) that it could harm his soul if it is lying about the murder.
2007 de Grazia
de Grazia
655 what . . . that] de Grazia (2007, p. 191): “The immortality of the soul is precisely what should cause him fear, as he later realizes [quotes 1638-43].”
655 656 1643