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Rightful King

A query on the Genuinely Interested board sparked something:

I've been researching this question for about a year now and I'm STILL not sure. Would Hamlet have been the King of Denmark had Claudius not married Gertrude? It seems that Denmark did not have matriarchal or patriarchal succession - kings were elected, which was probably a tradition that came from the "Beowulf" days of the strongest warrior heading the clan.

In 1.2, Claudius thanks Voltimand and Cornelius for their help in reaching the throne and tells Hamlet that he is next in line. Some "experts" say that Hamlet probably would have won a popular election but that Claudius rushed to have the election held before Hamlet got back. This seems plausible to me, but I can't find anything in the actual play that could confirm this. I know the play fairly well. Am I missing something? Any other ideas?

Posted by Lillith on March 29, 1997 at 07:32:40

 Replies

• King Hamlet Charles Weinstein 14:41:32 4/02/97 (0)
• You're on right track - but looking at wrong historical context Marina 13:16:21 4/02/97 (0)
• bribe A.C 11:33:38 4/01/97 (0)
• Hamlet King?-Never! J.H.P. 06:34:07 3/31/97 (3)
  • My my... Lillith 07:23:20 3/31/97 (2)
    • Bingo J.H.P. 17:19:56 4/03/97 (0)
    • Bingo J.H.P. 17:18:11 4/03/97 (0)
• Matriarchy Lillith 05:08:28 3/31/97 (0)
• other thoughts on kingship LunarCaustic 12:54:42 3/29/97 (0)
• Kingship Hamlet 12:09:11 3/29/97 (0)

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Replies | Post Reply | Shakespeare Queries & Replies From Everyone Else 3.15.97: Top | Help