In the PS edition of Hamlet, Act IV, scene 7, Gertrude says "There is a willow grows askaunt the brook". I'm pretty sure that should be "aslant". I cite the First Folio. An image of the relevant line from the Bodleian First Folio is attached.
Thanks for mentioning this, Michael. We were on the fence about this one a number of years back, but they are synonyms ("over and across", like "athwart"
. I know both the Arden and Riverside editors chose "askant" over "aslant" as well.
. I know both the Arden and Riverside editors chose "askant" over "aslant" as well.
What's the logic for going with "askaunt"? It looks like pretty clear to me in the First Folio that it's aslant. Well, "aſlant".
We went with "askaunt" because it was the most common spelling variant. Sometimes our editorial choices, if there wasn't a strong compelling reason for one variation over another, we went with what major editions (Arden, Riverside, Bevington) had all agreed on.
Additionally, Shakespeare's Words, which uses the Penguin Editions, also uses askaunt/askant.
https://www.shakespeareswords.com/Public/GlossaryHeadword.aspx?headwordId=858
To be clear, our editions are not 100% faithful to the FF and have never intended to be. AFAIK the only edition that does this is the RSC.
Additionally, Shakespeare's Words, which uses the Penguin Editions, also uses askaunt/askant.
https://www.shakespeareswords.com/Public/GlossaryHeadword.aspx?headwordId=858
To be clear, our editions are not 100% faithful to the FF and have never intended to be. AFAIK the only edition that does this is the RSC.
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