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Antonia Posted 21 years ago
Vocabulary

Player Queen

Hello!

I'm doing a translation of a text in which I'm not sure how to translate the following, actually how to understand the word ''Player'' here:

Hascy's part in the play was the Player Queen. (the play in question is Hamlet)

Could you please explain it? Thank you
  

Top answer

Maybe it means the actor who is playing the Queen in the "mousetrap" scene (where there is a play inside the play)?

— May L.

  • Maybe it means the actor who is playing the Queen in the "mousetrap" scene (where there is a play inside the play)?
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5 Answers
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Maybe it means the actor who is playing the Queen in the "mousetrap" scene (where there is a play inside the play)?
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That sounds right, May (Act III sc. ii). 'The lady doth protest too much, methinks', etc.

MrP
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Hi,

It is possible that it is a mousetrap scene, because in MacLiammoir's production the role (Player Queen) is played by a male. Wasn't it usual in those times (when the story of Hamlet takes palce) to have men play female roles? Perhaps that's why MacLiammoir took a male actor instead of female, because it's not Gerthrude(?if I recall correctly), but a queen in the mousetrap.
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Hello Antonia

Yes, you're right on both counts: she's not Gertrude, and a (smooth-skinned?) youth would have played the Player Queen in Shakespeare's day.

MrP
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