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

bribe

I suspect that Claudius in fact paid off the group of
electors whose responsibility it is to elect the next King.
So, yes, Hamlet was away at university, and Claudius did rush
the election, but he may have also paid off the electors.
There is evidence to suppot this in the play in
Claudius' opening court address. He reminds the group
gathered that they elected him King and approved of his marriage
to Gertrude. And he thanks them for it. "And for all our thanks"
So, you see, it was not the marriage that made him
King, but his bribery.

Posted by A.C on April 01, 1997 at 11:33:38
 In Reply to "Rightful King" posted by Lillith on March 29, 1997 at 07:32:40


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