Re: Hamlet

The Dutch republic, on its way in the latter half of the sixteenth century to 
becoming the most powerful economic center in Europe (albeit involved in an 
anti-colonial war), was never a monarchy in any conventional sense.  

Also, Venice, not a monarchy, may or may not count as a 'core state' by the end 
of the sixteenth century.  I realize you're focused on Hamlet, but I've always 
been struck by how many plays Shakespeare set in Italy (Romeo and Juliet, 
Merchant of Venice, Two Gentlemen of Verona, etc).

Steven Sherman