600  Polonius dances tango

Date: Fri, 7 Jun 2002 21:40:55 -0600
From: Paul Akmajian & Karen Reck <paulnkaren@EARTHLINK.NET>
Subject: Polonius dances tango

A busy few weeks, so this is nonsequitur. (But hopefully good for a smile in
the midst of serious discussions of playlists & equipment.)

In his original "goodbye to tango" posting, Larry de Los Angeles compared
Hamlet & Polonius as more & less favorable tango partners due to their ages.
Being something of a Hamlet nut, (it's kind of like being a tango nut, with
fewer opportunities to share your obsession) here are some thoughts re the
tango dancing proclivities of various characters:

The issue with Polonius as a dance partner is not age, it's pedantry. (Of
course this is not the comparison Larry intended.) Polonius confuses age
with wisdom, and is compelled to impart his to all in proximity. He could
not resist teaching on the floor - "...(n)either a follower (n)or a leader
be..."* etc. Hamlet would dance well (a prince trained in the social
graces), but too much in his head, detached from action/body. Claudius would
be commanding & clever, but lecherous; Laertes, impulsive, but stuck in
patterns; and Fortinbras, decisive, but prone to run over everyone else.
Some gossips would say that while Gertrude is a wonderful dancer, she
"dresses inappropriately for her age" and has somewhat unfortunate taste in
partners. Men would line up to dance/teach the most beautified Ophelia. And
Horatio, a good and loyal friend with a big heart, would embrace his
partner, negotiating the floor with care and grace. I'll bet he sings in her
ear.

* "Neither/nor" would be of the He Who Shall Not Be Named "school"

Karen
Albuquerque NM