Is Hamlet fat?
During the play's dramatic climax (Hamlet's sword-fight with Laetes), Gertrude says that her son is "fat, and scant of breath". Most readers do not pause to consider the weight of her comment, particularly since it comes in the middle of a tense scene (Laertes is using a poisoned sword to fight Hamlet).
But Gertrude's comment may well be puzzling, if we stop to consider it (think of the classic film starring an athletic Olivier as the Danish prince, or the Mel Gibson version). Over the years, Hamlet has been played by all sorts of actors, including women, but it is not a role that traditionally has been played by someone who over-weight. And yet there is Gertrude's remark: "He is fat".
What do you make of it all?
posted by belag @ Monday, January 24, 2005
3 Comments:
Valid point! If so, if it is used metaphorically, then what is the metaphor?
As a matter of fact, tradition tells scholars that the origins of the comments go back to the 'original' Hamlet - that is, the actor playing the role for the firsrt time, Richard Burbage. Burbage was a plunky man altogether, but is said to have gained considerable weight in the process of rehearsal. Hence, we could say that Shakespeare placed the remark, intentionally, as an inner joke. On the other hand, that would be a cop-out response (to blame it all on tradition!). What comes to mind when someone says the word 'fat' to you? What connotations does this little word have?
Ok, I'll buy the 'fat' with pride comment...but why is it present in the last fatal scene? why not before?
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