The Hamlet Project

Ooooh. An instance of historical context being very illuminating. Apparently, this line has a lot in common with something Guy Fawkes said. This boosts up Claudius’ villain cred. Because Guy Fawkes was clearly enemy # 1 and if Claudius is using his language, it is a cue to the audience for how to feel in this moment. Even if you don’t know it consciously, if that language is in the water, it might be working on your villain responsiveness.