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"neglected tribute"
Context and Language Videos
Act 3,
Scene 1
Lines 165-176

An explanation of the phrase "neglected tribute" in Act 3, Scene 1 of myShakespeare's Hamlet. 

myShakespeare | Hamlet 3.1 Allusion: "Neglected Tribute"

Claudius 

Was not like madness. There's something in his soul
O'erwhich his melancholy sits on brood,
And I do doubt the hatch and the disclose
Will be some danger. Which to prevent,
I have in quick determination
Thus set it down: he shall with speed to England, 
For the demand of our neglected tribute.    
Haply, the seas and countries different
With variable objects shall expel
This something-settled matter in his heart,
Whereon his brains still beating puts him thus
From fashion of himself. What think you on't?
Video Transcript: 

SARAH: Claudius has decided to send Hamlet to England for the demand of Denmark's neglected tribute. Ralph, let's explain what Shakespeare is referring to.

RALPH: Well, today, Denmark is a relatively small country. But in the medival period, when the story of Hamlet takes place, it was a powerful empire which included portions of Norway, Sweden, and Scotland; and Danish viking ships sacked and pillaged towns along the coast of England.

SARAH: To avoid these devastating raids, England was forced to make a large annual payment to the Danish King.

RALPH: By sending Hamlet to England to collect this tribute, Claudius is being clever. To the court at Elsinore, the prince is being sent to England on royal business.

SARAH: Yet, the English king, being a vassal to the king of Denmark, would be obliged to do whatever Claudius demanded - in this case, making sure that Hamlet never comes back.