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Description:
'Whither wilt thou lead me?' (quotation at foot of engraving). Possibly
based on the production at Drury Lane in 1780 with John Bannister
as Hamlet, although Dramatis Personae of text lists two Hamlets --
Mr. Smith (Drury Lane) and Mr. Henderson (Covent Garden). The title-page
says 'Marked with the Variations in the Manager's Book, at the Theatre-Royal
in Drury-Lane.' The print shows Hamlet in the usual contemporary costume
(breeches, coat with tails). He stands upon the battlements before
what appears to be the gate of the castle on the left of the picture.
His sword is drawn but not raised, its tip touching the ground. His
head is turned to his left to face the Ghost, and his left arm is
raised horizontally before him to about chest height but points away
from the Ghost. It is more a gesture to suggest him recoiling from
the Ghost. The Ghost, who stands slightly further forward than Hamlet
at right, wears armour with a raised visor. His body faces the viewer
but he faces Hamlet over his right shoulder and beckons him off to
the right with his right hand. In the background is the castle back-lit
by moonlight.
Folger Act/Sc/L: 1.5.2
Arden Act/Sc/L: 1.5.1
TLN: 682.00
Artist: Walker
Artist (Original work): Mortimer, John Hamilton Date:
1782 (15 June)
Date (Original work): 1782 ?
Medium: Engraving (signed and dated)
Size: 11.5 x 8 cms; 4 1/2 x 3 1/8 in (w.out border) (16.5 x
9.7 full pl)
Actor: Bannister, John (?)
Production: Drury Lane, 1780 (?)
Location: FSL. Art File S528h1 no. 9. Publ. 15 June 1782 by
T. Lowndes in HAMLET, PRINCE OF DENMARK, A TRAGEDY (London, 1782).
For continuation of SHAKESPEARE'S PLAYS (1782-6) in LOWNDES' NEW ENGLISH
THEATRE; FSL. Art Vol. b54, Vol. XVII, after p. 32.