VII. An Essay on the Character of HAMLET^ in 

 Shakespeare's Tragedy of Hamlet. By the Re- 

 verend Mr Thomas Robertson, F. R. S. Edin„ 



and Minijier of Dalmeny, 



[Read by Mr DALZEL, Secretary, July 21. 1788.] 



THE CharaBer of Hamlet, has been varioufly judged of 

 by critics, and what might be expected, it has been dill 

 more varioufly reprefented by performers upon the flage. 

 Shakespeare himfelf feems to have apprehended that this 

 would happen ; and that injuftice would be done to a hero, who 

 probably, in his eftimation, ranked higher than any other that 

 he has brought into the drama. 



When Hamlet was dying, he appears, upon this account, 

 to have made him fpeak as follows to Horatio. 



Horatio, I am dead ; 



Thou liv'ft ; report me and my caufe aright 



To the unfatisfied. 



Oh good Horatio, what a wounded name, 



Things {landing thus unknown, fhall live behind me. 



If thou didft ever hold me in thy heart, 



Abfent thee from felicity a while, 



To tell my tale. 



Hamlet was here in a fituation in which men in general 

 fpeak truth; and he was befides fpeaking to a confidential 



I i 2 friend, 



