TO HAMLET, “DELICATE & TENDER” ISN’T ABOUT GOOD STEAK:

Many scholars assume Hamlet in 4.4 praises Fortinbras, calling him a “delicate and tender prince.” But bible translations available to Shakespeare show otherwise.

—In Luke 16:19 (Geneva, “The Rich Man and Lazarus”), the hell-bound rich man is described: “There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared well and delicately every day.”
He is pampered and spoiled while neglecting the beggar Lazarus.

—Deut 28:54-57 (Bishop’s bible) describes a “delicate and tender” man and woman who fail to follow Mosaic law, pamper themselves, neglect spouse and children, and who, if the city was under siege, would eat their own children:
"the man (that is tender and exceeding delicate among you) [...]
56 Yea, and the woman that is so tender and delicate [..]

—Proverbs 19:10
The Douay-Rheims uses a form of the word "Delicate" in Proverbs 19:10:
"Delicacies are not seemly for a fool: nor for a servant to have rule over princes."

The Coverdale translation:
"Delicate ease becometh not a foole..."

The Wycliffe translation begins: "Delices bicomen not a fool..."

The Matthew tranlation: "Delicate ease becommeth not a foole..."

This was missed by three of the four major authors of reference books on Bible allusions in Shakespeare, caught only by Shaheen, who also notes the phrase in Isaiah 47:1.

But Bevington and many others missed it.

When Hamlet describes Fortinbras this way, he is at his lowest point: “My thoughts be bloody or be nothing worth!” This is before Hamlet finds the mercy of pirates & Providence and begins to show more mercy to others.

This makes it even more difficult to understand why Hamlet would give Fortinbras, whom he criticizes, his “dying voice” to be the next king:
—To avoid bloodshed?
—In reparation for his father having killed Old Fortinbras?
—To plant a seed of mercy?


[Rufus Sewell as Fortinbras in Hamlet (1996), directed by Kenneth Branagh.]
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[Originally posted around the week of 11/19/18
on LinkedIn]
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Disclaimer: If and when I quote or paraphrase bible passages or mention religion in many of my blog posts, I do not intend to promote any religion over another, nor am I attempting to promote religious belief in general; only to explore how the Bible and religion influenced Shakespeare, his plays, and his age.
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Thanks for reading!
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