* Note to HAMLET, 3.2.9: 'periwig-pated fellow'



Note to Hamlet, 3.2.9: "periwig-pated fellow"


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Hamlet,
Act 3, Scene 2, line 9
Hamlet speaks as though it was common for an actor to appear in an elaborate wig, but I believe that outside the theater in Shakespeare's time, men didn't usually wear wigs, so perhaps Shakespeare has in mind a man playing a woman's part.
Queen Elizabeth wearing a wig in the Armada Portrait
Queen Elizabeth wearing a wig in the Armada Portrait