“Ah, my friend, thou dost not know how much thou hast my sympathy in this. Some time ago, I learned the secret I told thee in fear thou wouldst despise me for the sin of slaying my own kin … is the inciting incident of a play by a celebrated playwright, well-traveled and oft-performed.” Claudius shakes his head, waving his hand as if to wave the lingering frustration and humiliation, though he knows it’s scarcely that easy. “I despaired enough at my own reputation, but I know thy reputation does not pain thee as much as thy husband’s. Thou must be full of fury on his behalf.”