The Hamlet Project

Hang on.
Marcellus and Barnardo are gentlemen?
I mean, I don’t mean to split textual hairs here
But isn’t a gentleman a somewhat specific designation in this time and place?
It’s not like Horatio’s just finding a nice way to say
“These two dudes. . .” So if they’re gentlemen. . .
Their entire status is very much different than one would think.
It would mean that they’re not simple security guards.
They are noble fellows
Charged with protecting their country.
It could be that Marcellus knows
Where to find Hamlet most conveniently
Because he’s a courtier himself.
And gentlemen holding the watch
Says something very particular about the state of affairs in Denmark.
When the rich folk get conscripted, we know trouble’s coming.