figure
Fortinbras
also: Фортинбрас
The Norwegian prince of Shakespeare's "Hamlet," whose small military retinue appears briefly near the play's end. The noble father invokes "the lowliest little squeaker in Fortinbras's retinue" as a stock image of a minor, insignificant stage role, to belittle Potekhin's presence as a manager.
Reading notes
- The Critic §14 the lowliest little squeaker in Fortinbras's retinue
Fortinbras, the Norwegian prince who appears briefly near the end of Shakespeare's Hamlet with a small military escort, supplies the noble father with a stock image of theatrical insignificance -- even the most minor extra in that minor retinue, he claims, would outrank Potekhin in commanding presence.
- Swan Song (Calchas) §90 Fortinbras's retinue
Fortinbras, the Norwegian prince who appears briefly near the end of "Hamlet" with his army, is invoked here as a stock image of the smallest, least significant kind of walk-on role -- Svetlovidov's self-mocking admission that in serious tragedy he would now be fit only for a nameless soldier in the background, not a lead.