Some Remarks on the Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark, Written by Mr. William Shakespeare | Page 9

this believe, Without the sensible and trite Avouch Of mine own Eyes_.
This Speech still helps on our Deception, for the Reasons I have already given.
Page 228.
Horatio, Such was the very Armour he had on, &c.
I have heard many Persons wonder why the Poet should bring in this Ghost in complete Armour. It does, I own, at first seem hard to be accounted for; but I think these Reasons may be given for it, viz. We are to consider, that he could introduce him in these Dresses only; in his Regal Dress, in a Habit of Interment, in a common Habit, or in some Phantastick one of his own Invention. Now let us examine which was most likely to affect the Spectators with Passions proper to the Occasion, and which could most probably furnish out great Sentiments and fine Expressions.
The Regal Habit has nothing uncommon in it, nor surprising; nor could it give rise to any fine Images. The Habit of Interment was something too horrible; for Terror, not Horror, is to be raised in the Spectators. The common Habit (or Habit de Ville, as the French call it) was by no Means proper for the Occasion.
It remains then, that the Poet should chuse some Habit from his own Brain: But this certainly could not be proper, because Invention in such a Case, would be so much in Danger of falling into the Grotesque, that it was not to be hazarded.
Now as to the Armour, it was very suitable to a King, who is described as a great Warrior, and is very particular, and consequently affects the Spectators, without being phantastick. Besides, if there were no other Reason, the fine Image which arises from thence, in these Lines, is Reason enough.
_Such was the very Armour he had on, When He th' ambitious_ Norway _combated, So frown'd He once, when in angry Parle, He smote the sleaded_ Polack _on the Ice. 'Tis Strange!_
There is a Stroke of Nature in _Horatio's_ breaking off, from the Description of the King, and falling into the Exclamation. _'Tis Strange!_ which is inimitably Beautiful.
Page 228.
Marcellus. Good now sit down, &c.
The whole Discourse concerning the great Preparations making in Denmark is very Poetical, and necessary also towards the introducing of Fortinbrass in this Play, whose Appearance gives Rise to one Scene, which adds a Beauty to the Whole; I mean, That wherein Hamlet makes those noble Reflections upon seeing That Prince's Army. Besides, this Discourse is necessary also to give the Ghost Time to appear again, in order to affect the Spectators still more; and from this Conversation the Interlocutors draw one Reason, why the Spirit appears in Arms, which appears rational to the Audience. It gives also Horatio an Opportunity of addressing the Ghost in that beautiful Manner he does.
Page 229
_Stay Illusion! &c_.
The Description of the Prefages which happen'd to Rome, and the drawing a like Inference from this supernatural Appearance, is very nervous and Poetical.
Page 230, 231.
Bernardo. _It was about to speak when the Cock crew &c_.
The Speeches in consequence of this Observation are truly beautiful, and are properly Marks of a great Genius; as also these Lines which describe the Morning, are in the true Spirit of Poetry.
Page 31. _But, look, the Morn, in Russet Mantle clad, Walks oe'r the Dew of yon high Eastern Hill_.
And as to _Shakespeare's_ complying with the vulgar Notions of Spirits amongst the English at that Time, so far from being low, it adds a Grace and a Naivete to the whole Passage, which one can much easier be sensible of than know how to make others so.
SCENE. The Palace, (p. 231.) And Sequel.
Enter the King, Queen, Hamlet, &c.
It is very natural and apropos, that the King should bring some plausible Excuse for marrying his Brother's Wife so soon after the Decease of his Brother, which he does in his first Speech in this Scene: It would else have too soon revolted the Spectators against such an unusual Proceeding. All the Speeches of the King in this Scene to his Ambassadors Cornelius and Voltimand, and to Laertes, and to Prince Hamlet, are entirely Fawning, and full of Dissimulation, and makes him well deserve the Character which the Prince afterwards gives him, of _smiling, damn'd Villain, &c._ when he is informed of his Crime.
The King's and Queen's Questions to Hamlet are very proper, to give the Audience a true Idea of the Filial Piety of the young Prince, and of his virtuous Character; for we are hereby informed of his fixed and strong Grief for the Loss of his Father: For it does not appear, that the Usurpation of the Crown from him, sits heavy on his Soul, at least, it is not seen by any Part of his Behaviour.
How his Uncle came to be preferred to him, we are left