This is a confusing timeline.
At first hit, this marriage would seem to be thirty years long, if we imagine that Phoebus’ cart journey is reflective of a year. But generally, Phoebus, the sun, is thought to go round the earth every day – which would put us at thirty days.
Then we have thirty dozen moons? Thirty moons would be around 30 months. But what is thirty dozen? 12 x 30? – ah, yes, 12 months times thirty – which re-iterates the 30 years idea.
So really, the king here is saying it’s been thirty years again and again, in possibly the most obscure language possible.
My question then becomes – is this a mirror of Gertrude’s first marriage? It’s possible. Generally, Hamlet’s accepted age is 33. But I have yet to see where exactly that reference comes in. Is it the gravedigger scene? I can’t recall.
But – I guess this player marriage is at least in the Ballpark of the Gertrude & Hamlet partnership in terms of years. 30 to 35 years in that marriage? It’s all in the same neighborhood.
The Hamlet Project 