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Article: Shakespeare's Hamlet.(William Shakespeare)(Critical Essay)
- Article from:
- The Explicator
- Article date:
- January 1, 2004
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2004 Heldref Publications. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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In the Fall 2001 issue of The Explicator, Eric Sterling argues that "Hamlet purposely murders Polonius, clearly perceiving his identity" (2). In beginning his case, Sterling notes by contrast that most scholars consider the killing of Polonius an accident, believing that Hamlet suspected the eavesdropper of actually being Claudius. I will attempt to show, textually and dramatically, why the majority view is still almost certainly the better interpretation.
According to Sterling, Hamlet would think it impossible for Claudius to finish praying in time to hide behind the arras before the prince meets with Gertrude. It is impossible, Sterling determines, because "a ...