Will should have kept Badger as Polonius. And Toad as Gertrude.
But have you considered that the influences work both ways? In Grahame's orginal draft, Portly is Ophelia, whose part is broken from her in revisions, sliver by envious sliver, until only the willow remains. She is, of course, rescued by the Piper at the Gates of Dawn: remnants of that numinous vision can be found in this scene:
HAMLET
I do not well understand that. Will you play upon this pipe?
GUILDENSTERN
My lord, I cannot.
HAMLET
I pray you.
GUILDENSTERN
Believe me, I cannot.
HAMLET I do beseech you.
The godhead surpasses Hamlet's merely human understanding. "Pray," "believe," "beseech" ... this is the language of worship.
no subject
But have you considered that the influences work both ways? In Grahame's orginal draft, Portly is Ophelia, whose part is broken from her in revisions, sliver by envious sliver, until only the willow remains. She is, of course, rescued by the Piper at the Gates of Dawn: remnants of that numinous vision can be found in this scene:
HAMLET
I do not well understand that. Will you play upon
this pipe?
GUILDENSTERN
My lord, I cannot.
HAMLET
I pray you.
GUILDENSTERN
Believe me, I cannot.
HAMLET
I do beseech you.
The godhead surpasses Hamlet's merely human understanding. "Pray," "believe," "beseech" ... this is the language of worship.
Your Arden(t) admirer,
Nine