Could Hamlet Be the "Other Shakespeare?" (2)

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The plan is effective.  Under the watchful eyes of Hamlet and a friend he has asked to doublecheck his observations, his uncle proves unable to sit through the performance.  The play is stopped as the king and queen hurry off to their respective chambers.

The queen sends a message for Hamlet to come to her, and Hamlet intends to have some pointed words.  

But on the way, he notices that the door to his uncle's chamber is ajar, and that his uncle is on his knees, apparently at prayer, defenseless.  Hamlet recognizes--and passes up--an opportunity to draw his sword and dispatch him on the spot.

He reasons that since his father passed into the next world without benefit of a last confession, and therefore still answerable for all his sins, he would be doing his uncle an unwarranted favor if he were to send him to his Maker fresh from prayer.  He will deal with him later.

Hamlet goes on to his mother's chamber, and begins to speak angrily to her about her role in the treachery against his father.  Frightened, she cries out for help.  From a fairly short distance away, Polonius, an advisor who has been standing behind a curtain to eavesdrop on the conversation, repeats the cry of alarm.  Hamlet rushes the curtain with his sword--perhaps believing the king to have shifted places--and Polonius falls out, dead.

Hamlet continues his accusations.  His mother is overwhelmed and repents:  "Thou turnst mine eyes into my very soul,/And there I see such black and grained spots/As will not leave their tinct."

Then the king arrives with his attendants, and begins to take charge.

Proclaiming that Hamlet's "madness" has gotten too far out of hand, the king orders him sent to England--where he will secretly arrange to have him killed.

(c) COPYRIGHT 1992 ROBERT WINTER.  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

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