which Ophelia is so free, that the mere freedom
therefrom constitutes her character. Note Shakespeare's charm of composing
the female character by the absence of characters, that is, marks and
out-juttings.

_Ib._ Hamlet's speech:--

"I say, we will have no more marriages: those that are married
already, all but one, shall live: the rest shall keep as they
are."

Observe this dallying with the inward purpose, characteristic of one who
had not brought his mind to the steady acting point. He would fain sting
the uncle's mind;--but to stab his body!--The soliloquy of Ophelia, which
follows, is the perfection of love--so exquisitely unselfish!

_Ib._ sc. 2. This dialogue of Hamlet with the players is one of the
happiest instances of Shakespeare's power of diversifying the scene while
he is carrying on the plot.

_Ib._--

"_Ham._ My lord, you played once i' the university, you say?"
(_To Polonius._)

To have kept Hamlet's love for Ophelia before the audience in any direct
form, would have made a breach in the unity of the interest;--but yet to
the thoughtful reader it is suggested by his spite to poor Polonius, whom
he cannot let rest.

_Ib._ The style of the interlude here is distinguished from the real
dialogue by rhyme, as in the first interview with the players by epic
verse.

_Ib._--

"_Ros._ My lord, you once did love me.

_Ham._ _So_ I do still, by these pickers and stealers."

I never heard an actor give this word "so" its proper emphasis.
Shakespeare's meaning is--"lov'd you? Hum!--_so_ I do still," &c. There has
been no change in my opinion:--I think as ill of you as I did. Else Hamlet
tells an ignoble falsehood, and a useless one, as the last speech to
Guildenstern--"Why look you now," &c.--proves.

_Ib._ Hamlet's soliloquy:--

"Now could I drink hot blood,
And do such business as the bitter day
Would quake to look on."

The utmost at which Hamlet arrives, is a disposition, a mood, to do
something:--but what to do, is still left undecided, while every word he
utters tends to betray his disguise. Yet observe how perfectly equal to
any call of the moment is Hamlet, let it only not be for the future.

_Ib._ sc. 3. Speech of Polonius. Polonius's volunteer obtrusion of himself
into this business, while it is appropriate to his character, still
itching after former importance, removes all likelihood that Hamlet should
suspect his presence, and prevents us from making his death