Hamlet tells Horatio about how he doublecrossed Rosenkrantz and Guildenstern and opened the letter from Claudius to the King of England ordering that his "head should be strook off" (Ham.5.2.24). Hamlet substitutes another letter telling the King
44 That on the view and knowing of these contents,
45 Without debatement further, more or less,
46 He should those bearers put to sudden death,
47 Not shriving time allow'd. (Ham.5.2.44-46)
The only other occurrence of 'debatement' occurs in Isabella's exposure of Angelo and similarly involves a letter, doublecrossing, and a beheading:
97 He would not, but by gift of my chaste body
98 To his concupiscible intemperate lust,
99 Release my brother; and after much debatement,
100 My sisterly remorse confutes mine honor,
101 And I did yield to him; but the next morn betimes,
102 His purpose surfeiting, he sends a warrant
103 For my poor brother's head. (MeM 5.1.97-103)
16 September 1999