Cinna's Easy Plays from Shakespeare 1

HAMLET

SCENE 1

( The stage is dark. A number of people hurry across, carrying lanterns. One stands looking at others. HORATIO catches sight of the standing figure. He raises his lantern to see its face. The light shows us a skull.)

Horatio (very alarmed) : Hamlet!

(He looks round for HAMLET but does not see him.)

Hamlet !

( The figure walks off. HAMLET enters on the other side.)

Hamlet: Come along. We shall be late for the wedding.

Horatio: Look !

Hamlet: Where ?

Horatio: Can't you see ? Oh, it's gone.

Hamlet: What are you talking about?

Horatio: I just saw a very strange thing.

Hamlet: Well, I saw nothing. Now, stop dreaming and hurry.

( They exit.)

SCENE 2

(Enter people with lights. KING CLAUDIUS and QUEEN GERTRUDE enter wearing crowns, and wedding clothes. Also, POLONIUS, OPHELIA, LAERTES .)

Claudius: And so I take you, Gertrude, for my wife.

(All clap.)

Though yet of Hamlet our dear brother's death the memory be green, Gertrude and I have decided to marry as soon as possible. She was a loving wife to him. Now he is dead, she is my queen, and Denmark's peace continues .

Gertrude : Thank you all for attending our wedding.

(All clap.)

Claudius: Often when a King dies, there is a war to decide the new King. Denmark shall have no war. Our speedy action shall let peace continue. (CLAUDIUS kisses the hand of GERTRUDE. All clap. ) And now, Polonius, my good friend. You asked me to do something ?

Polonius: Yes, my lord. It concerns my son Laertes.

Claudius: Laertes ? What is it that you want, my boy ? For your good father's sake, I hope I can help you.

Laertes: My lord, I am a student in Paris. I came home for your wedding. Now it is ended, may I return to Paris ?

Claudius: You wish to leave us so soon ? We have dances and entertainment all this week. What does your father say ?

Polonius: He insists on going, my lord. He likes sport and study in Paris, better than dancing and drinking in Elsinore.

Claudius: He is a good boy. Yes, Laertes, you may go. Do not forget us !

Laertes: I will not, my lord.

(LAERTES kisses hand of GERTRUDE. Exit LAERTES. Enter HAMLET and HORATIO.)

Claudius: And now let us begin the wedding dance.

(GERTRUDE sees HAMLET and points to him.)

Claudius: But now, my cousin Hamlet, and my son, you look unhappy. Come to the dance !

Gertrude: My dear son, I know why you are unhappy. You lost a noble father when I lost a noble husband. This happens to all of us. It is common.

Hamlet: Yes, Madam, it is common

Gertrude: It is your mother's wedding. Smile !

Claudius: It is sweet and commendable that you mourn for your father, Hamlet. But, remember, he also lost a father. I am your new father. Stay here in Elsinore with us.

Gertrude: Yes, Hamlet, stay here.

Claudius: Do not go back to school in Wittenberg .

Gertrude: You don't like study, do you ?

Claudius: Stay here and study the duties of a King. For you will be next King of Denmark, Hamlet.

(All clap.)

Hamlet: Very well. I shall stay.

Gertrude: Thank you, dear son.

(GERTRUDE kisses Hamlet on cheek.)

Claudius: Good. Now, to the dance!

(Exit all but HAMLET and HORATIO.)

Hamlet: So, I must stay here. Will you go back to school ?

Horatio: My lord, I will stay with you.

Hamlet: I need a friend.

Horatio: You have your family !

Hamlet: Do I ? My father is dead. My mother has become my aunt. A man dies, and on the same day his wife marries again!

Horatio: Not the same day.

Hamlet: The very hour.

Horatio: It was rather soon, I know.

Hamlet: Thrift, thrift, Horatio ! The hot food not eaten at the funeral was served again, cold, at the wedding.

Horatio: My lord, do not joke. :

Hamlet: This is no joke. I remember my father. And now I see my uncle. What a change !

Horatio: He was a good king.

Hamlet: He was a man. Taking him for all in all, I shall not look upon his like again.

Horatio: I think I saw him.

Hamlet: Yes, of course.

Horatio: No, I mean since he died. Last night.

Hamlet (amazed) : Last night?

Horatio: I saw a ghost-the very image of your father.

Hamlet: Can this be true ?

Horatio: I hardly know. If this strange sight comes again, I will tell you.

Hamlet: Yes, yes, I must see it. My father's ghost! This is very odd.

( They exit.)

SCENE 3

(Enter OPHELIA and LAERTES.)

Laertes: And now, my good sister, I must say good bye.

Ophelia: Don't go, brother.

Laertes: I must study !

Ophelia (kissing him) : Goodbye then.

Laertes: While I am in Paris, keep away from Hamlet.

Ophelia: But why ?

Laertes: He does not love you.

Ophelia: He says he loves me.

Laertes: It is foolish talk. Forget it. In Wittenberg he whispers the same thing to dozens of , girls .

Ophelia: You have no heart.

Laertes: I do. Because my heart is big, I think of my sister's happiness.

Ophelia: Very well, then, but in Paris don't you ' whisper to dozens of girls.

Laertes: Me ? I study all the time !

Ophelia (laughing) : Yes ! (Enter POLONIUS.)

Ophelia: Father, Laertes is going.

Polonius: He is late.

Laertes: Goodbye, father.

(He kneels.)

Polonius (puts hand on LAERTES' head) : There my blessing on you.

(LAERTES stands.)

Polonius: Now, off to Paris !

Ophelia: Goodbye, goodbye.

Laertes: Goodbye, father. Remember what I said, sister.

(Exit. )

Polonius: What did he tell you to remember ?

Ophelia: Oh, something.

Polonius: What ?

Ophelia: About the lord Hamlet.

Polonius: Ah, a good idea. Now tell me the truth. What is between you and Hamlet?

Ophelia (very embarrassed) : He sends me gifts. He says he loves me. He writes letters every day.

(She shows letters, hidden near her heart.)

Polonius: Love ? Nonsense.

Ophelia: It's true ! He loves me !

Polonius: It's not true. I will not have you speak to him. Do you understand me ?

Ophelia (cries) : Yes, father.

Polonius (angry) : I am your father, yes. I order you not to meet Hamlet. You must not receive any gifts or letters. Understand ?

Ophelia: Yes, father, I understand.

( They exit.)

SCENE 4

(Enter HAMLET and HORATIO.)

Hamlet: It's a cold night.

Horatio: It will soon be the middle of the winter.

(Clock strikes one.)

Hamlet: One o'clock.

Horatio: Yes ; this is the hour when ghosts sometimes appear.

Hamlet: Nonsense !

Horatio: It's true.

Hamlet: When I have seen a ghost I will say it is true! My mother believes in such things, but you and I, Horatio, we are university students ! We do not believe in old-fashioned nonsense. We are modern. We know the truth.

( The GHOST enters behind HAMLET.)

Horatio: If you wish to know more of the truth, turn around.

Hamlet: Why do you say that?

Horatio: Quick !

(HAMLET turns slowly and sees the GHOST.)

Hamlet: My father!

(He falls onto his knees, astounded.)

Horatio: It beckons you.

Hamlet: I will follow.

Horatio: No !

Hamlet: I must follow my father.

Horatio(holding HAMLET) : We don't know if it is your father ! He may lead you to your death !

Hamlet (struggling with HORATIO) : My fate cries out. Let me go, Horatio ! (HAMLET throws HORATIO onto ground. HAMLET takes his sword, and holds hilt between his face and the GHOST. The hilt is in the shape of the Christian cross.) Go on, I'll follow. ( The GHOST beckons HAMLET again.)

Horatio: No.

Hamlet: Lead on.

( The GHOST slowly walks off; HAMLET slowly follows. HORATIO stands up and runs after them.)

Horatio: Hamlet ! Hamlet! Where are you ?

(Exit HORATIO.)

(GHOST enters in a deferent place. HAMLET is following as before.)

Hamlet: Stop ! I'll go no further.

Ghost: Listen to me.

Hamlet: I will.

Ghost: I cannot stay long.

Hamlet: Ah, yes, stay !

Ghost: I must return to hell.

Hamlet: No, no.

Ghost: Do not pity me, but listen.

Hamlet: Yes, I must listen.

Ghost: Do you know me?

Hamlet: Yes, yes, I'll call you Hamlet, king, father, royal Dane.

Ghost: You are a good son. You do not forget : your father.

Hamlet: Forget! Impossible !

Ghost: You must listen.

Hamlet: Then speak.

Ghost: You must revenge me.

Hamlet (surprised) : Revenge ?

Ghost: I am your father's Ghost. Listen if you love me . . .

Hamlet: If!

Ghost: Revenge your father's murder ! l

Hamlet (astonished) : Murder !

Ghost: Murder most foul, as at the best it is. Hamlet: But who murdered you ?

Ghost: As I lay sleeping in my orchard, I was bitten by a snake. And the poison of the snake killed me.

Hamlet: Yes, yes, I have heard that story.

Ghost: There is more. The snake that bit me then, now wears my crown.

Hamlet: My uncle ! Oh ! Revenge !

Ghost: Yes, my loving younger brother, your uncle, the new king of Denmark, and your mother's new husband.

Hamlet: My mother !

Ghost: She is innocent. Do not touch her. In the garden as I slept, your uncle came with a bottle of poison. He poured this in my ear.

Hamlet: You saw him ?

Ghost: Just before I died, I saw his evil smile. After he poisoned me, he poisoned your mother--pouring in her ears the honeyed words of love. You were away at university in Wittenberg. He seized the throne, seized my wife . . . and while I suffer the pains of hell, he makes the royal bed of Denmark a couch for luxury and damned incest.

Hamlet (collapses on floor) : Oh !

Ghost: I must go. The night is ending. You must stay and punish your uncle. Do not touch your mother. Let God be her judge. The doubts in her heart will be punishment enough. Adieu. Adieu. Remember me !

(Exit GHOST.)

Hamlet: Remember you ! Yes, while my brain still works, I will forget everything but you. Oh wicked mother! Oh, vile uncle! Revenge ! Revenge ! Yes, I have sworn it. Adieu. Adieu. Remember me !

Horatio (off) : Hamlet! Hamlet!

(Enters. )

My lord ? Are you here ! Are you all right?

Hamlet (ignores him) : Adieu. Adieu. Remember me .

Horatio: My lord, what happened ?

Hamlet: Oh, wonderful.

Horatio: Good my lord, tell it.

Hamlet: No, you will tell somebody.

Horatio: My lord, I will tell no one.

Hamlet: Then listen. There is a villain living in Denmark. . .

(He changes his manner and becomes humorous.)

. . .who is a villain.

Horatio (surprised) : There needs no ghost to tell us this.

Hamlet: Why, yes, you are right. It's all a lot of foolishness. Let us separate and go home, and forget everything. :

Horatio: What do you mean ? These are foolish words, my lord.

Hamlet: Forgive me. I am sorry to offend you.

Horatio: There is no offence, my lord.

Hamlet: Yes, by St. Patrick, but there is Horatio. One man has offended ! Ah, it was an honest ghost.

Horatio: But was it your father, or some devil acting like him ?

Hamlet: Ah, Horatio, I beg you do one thing for me.

Horatio: Of course, my lord, what is it?

Hamlet: Never tell any one what you have seen tonight.

Horatio: I will tell no one.

Hamlet: Then swear it.

Horatio: That's not necessary.

Hamlet: It is so, swear.

Horatio: No, really. I do not wish to swear.

Hamlet: Put your hand on my sword.

Horatio: No, please.

Ghost (off stage) : Swear.

Hamlet: Ah, you hear him ? Swear to tell no one.

Horatio: If you wish.

Ghost (off, in a different place) : Swear.

Hamlet (moves that way) : Come here. Put your .hand on my sword

Ghost (off) : Swear.

Hamlet: Swear.

Horatio: I swear.

Hamlet (sheathes sword) : Rest, rest, perturbed spirit.

No, silence Horatio, silence.

Something is rotten in this state of Denmark.

O cursed spite,

That ever I was born to set it right!

(Exit both.)

SCENE 5

(HAMLET puts hand on HORATIO's shoulder, and leans on him as they exit. OPHELIA enters. She sees HAMLET. She is surprised. HAMLET takes her hand, looks in her face, shakes his head, and walks off, after HORATIO. OPHELIA screams and runs across stage. POLONlUS enters other side. She runs into his arms.)

Polonius: Ophelia ! What's the matter ?

Ophelia: Oh, father, father.

Polonius: Don't cry. Tell me.

Ophelia: I just saw Hamlet.

Polonius (angry) : Hamlet!

Ophelia: He walked past me, took my hand, and looked in my face.

Polonius: What did he say ?

Ophelia: He said nothing.

Polonius: Nothing ?

Ophelia: Oh, he was so strange ! His clothes were dirty and rumpled. His hair was in a mess. His hand trembled like an earthquake.

Polonius: Ah ha, he is mad for love of you.

Ophelia: Mad for me ?

Polonius: What else can be the reason ?

Ophelia: Well, perhaps you are right.

Polonius: Have you been talking to him?

Ophelia: No, no, I have avoided him.

Polonius: Very strange. Let's tell the king.

Ophelia: Oh no.

Polonius: We must. Did Hamlet send you any more letters ?

Ophelia: He sent some, but I sent them back, un-read.

Polonius: Ah, I see, that's the reason for it. You are a good daughter to tell all this to your father. Here come the king and queen. Explain everything to them.

(Enter CLAUDIUS and GERTRUDE. POLONIUS bows, OPHELIA curtsies.)

Polonius: My good lord.

Claudius: Yes, Polonius.

Polonius: I believe I know the reason for Hamlet's madness.

Gertrude: What madness ?

Polonius: Your son, madam, has been acting strangely.

Gertrude: Well, he is a little unhappy. That's because of his father's death, and our hurried marriage.

Claudius: Gertrude!

Polonius: Perhaps, but today his madness is directed at my daughter.

Claudius and Gertrude (surprised) : Oh ! At Ophelia !

Ophelia: Yes, your Majesty.

Gertrude: Tell me, dear Ophelia.

Polonius: Give me his letters.

(OPHELIA gives letters.)

Polonius: Now listen, pray. First, a poem.

(POLONIUS reads.)

"Doubt that the stars are fire

Doubt that the sun doth move

Doubt truth to be a liar

But never doubt I love."

Claudius: Well, I don't think it's mad; it's a little strange, but young men usually write such letters to young girls.

Polonius: Very well. Listen to this one. "O dear Ophelia, I am ill at these numbers".

Gertrude: What does that mean ?

Ophelia: I don't know.

Polonius: "I have no art to reckon my groans".

Claudius: Odd !

Polonius: "But I love you best".

Gertrude : That's not odd.

Polonius: "Oh, most best, believe it, adieu. Thine evermore, most dear lady, whilst this machine is to him, Hamlet".

Gertrude: Machine ?

Polonius: Yes, "machine".

Claudius: What does he mean ?

Polonius: We don't know. It's part of his madness.

Claudius: I am not so sure.

Gertrude: We can't call him mad unless we know more.

Polonius: Patience, good madam, I beg you. We will test him. You shall see for yourself.

Ophelia: Oh. Here he comes now !

(She runs off.)

Polonius: Very convenient ! Stand behind this curtain, and listen while I ask him about these letters. Judge if he is mad or not. :

(CLAUDIUS and GERTRUDE stand behind curtain. Enter HAMLET looking at paper.)

Polonius: How does my lord Hamlet ?

Hamlet: Well.

Polonius: You know my name, my lord ?

Hamlet: Of course. You are a fishmonger.

Polonius: A fishmonger ! Not I, my lord.

Hamlet: Then I wish you were as honest as a fishmonger.

Polonius: As honest as a fishmonger ! ,

Hamlet: Yes, indeed, for to be an honest man is to be one among ten thousand.

Polonius: Very true, my lord.

Hamlet: You have a daughter.

Polonius: I do, my lord.

Hamlet: Let her be careful.

Polonius: I shall tell her to be careful, my lord.

(to CLAUDIUS and GERTRUDE behind curtain)

Thinking about my daughter !

(to HAMLET)

What do you read, my lord ?

Hamlet: Words, words, words.

Polonius: But what is the matter ?

Hamlet (looking about) : Between whom ?

Polonius: No, no. What are you reading. What does it say ?

Hamlet: Oh, lies, slanders, insults. It says old men have grey beards ; their faces are like dried apples ; their heads are weak and their legs weaker. This may be true, but people should never say so.

Polonius: Ah, yes.

( to CLAUDIUS and GERTRUDE)

This may be madness. but there is method , in it.

(to HAMLET)

You seem unhappy, my lord.

Hamlet: I am busy thinking.

(Points to his head.)

Polonius: Then perhaps you will be too busy to welcome the players. (Points off.)

Hamlet (very interested) : The players ? What players ?

Polonius: You know them my lord, the actors who came to Elsinore last year.

Hamlet: Ah, yes, I remember. He that plays the king shall be welcome.

Polonius: Shall I call them in ?

Hamlet: Of course.

(POLONlUS calls and waves. Several actors in strange clothes run in, singing, playing instruments, walking on hands, etc. Music, noise, laughter. HAMLET is delighted.)

Hamlet: Gentlemen, you are welcome to Denmark .

All players:( bow or curtsey.)Thank you, my lord.

Polonius: They are the best players in the world, for tragedy,

comedy, history, pastoral, pastoral-comical,historical-pastoral, tragical-historical,tragical-comical-historical-pastoral.

Hamlet: They can do everything, then.

Polonius: They can !

Hamlet: Bravo. When will you give us a play ?

Player King: Tonight, if you wish, my lord.

Hamlet: I wish ! I wish ! Make yourselves at home here.

Polonius: I will show them their quarters.

Hamlet: Give them our best rooms. They are more than mere guests, for an actor brings himself and also all his impersonations.

(All exit. HAMLET and PLAYER KING remain.)

Hamlet: Just a moment.

Player King: My lord?

Hamlet: Last time you came to Denmark I think you acted a play called "The Murder of Gonzago". Do you remember it?

Player King: Yes, of course, sir.

Hamlet: Can you play it tonight ?

Player King: Certainly, sir.

Hamlet: Then come with me, I want to tell you something.

(Exit both.)

SCENE 6

(Enter CLAUDIUS, GERTRUDE, OPHELIA.)

Claudius: We heard Hamlet talking to your father.

Gertrude: He did not seem mad.

Ophelia: I don't know.

Claudius: How is he when he talks to you, Ophelia ?

Ophelia: My father says I must not talk to him.

(Enter POLONIUS.)

Claudius: Hamlet did not talk like a mad man, Polonius.

Polonius: But it was very strange, don't you think ?

Gertrude: Would he talk to Ophelia in the same way ?

Polonius: Oh, worse, I should think.

(HAMLET and PLAYER KING walk across stage talking earnestly. They do not see others.)

Claudius: Look! There he is. Ophelia, give him back these letters. We will see what he does.

Ophelia: Yes, my lord.

(CLAUDIUS, GERTRUDE, POLONlUS hide behind curtain. )

Ophelia (to HAMLET) : How are you, sir ?

Hamlet (not looking) : Thank you, I am well.

Ophelia: I have some letters from you. Please take them back.

(HAMLET accepts a letter. Looks at it, indicates to PLAYER KING to leave. PLAYER KING exits.)

Hamlet: I never wrote this.

Ophelia: My lord, you did !

Hamlet (reads letter) : "Whilst this machine is to him." What nonsense !

Ophelia: Yes, my lord.

Hamlet (throws letters up in the air) : If I was foolish enough to write this, then why were you foolish enough to read it ?

Ophelia: Please take them.

Hamlet (taking her hand fiercely) : I will take you.

(OPHELIA screams.)

Hamlet: Are you honest?

Ophelia: My lord ?

Hamlet: Are you lovely ?

Ophelia: I don't understand.

Hamlet: I loved you once, Ophelia.

Ophelia: Indeed, my lord, you made me think so.

Hamlet: You should not have thought so. I did not love you.

Ophelia: Then I was deceived.

Hamlet: Then I will not take you.

(He throws her on floor.)

Go to a nunnery. Why would you become the mother of rascals ? I am so bad it would have been better if I had never been born. I am proud, ambitious, and revengeful. Yes, revengeful ! Go to a nunnery. We are all rascals and villains. Believe none of us, never. Where is your father !

Ophelia: At home, my lord.

Hamlet: Oh? Then tell him to stay home and play the fool there, not here. Good bye.

(OPHELIA cries.)

Hamlet: If you marry, you will not be the mother of children, for your children will be monsters. If you must marry, then marry a fool. Wise men know well enough what wickedness is hidden in a woman. Good bye. Look at your face ! Paint, powder, lipstick. God gives you one face, but you make another. No, no, you will never trap Hamlet. Go to a nunnery. We shall have no more marriages. Those already married shall live all but one.

(HAMLET opens curtain, revealing CLAUDIUS, GERTRUDE, POLONIUS.)

The rest shall stay as they are. To a nunnery !

(HAMLET bows sarcastically to CLAUDIUS and GERTRUDE.)

(Exit HAMLET.)

Claudius: Love ? No, this is not love. His words are mad enough, but is he mad ? Very nearly, perhaps. I will send him to England. The king of England owes us tax money, and Hamlet shall collect it.

Polonius: A good idea, my lord. First let his mother speak strongly to him. He treated my poor daughter very savagely.

Claudius: Gertrude, speak to Hamlet, will you ? If you cannot bring some change in him, then he must certainly sail to England. Yes, let it be so. Madness in great ones must not unwatched go.

(All exit.)

SCENE 7

(Enter HAMLET and PLAYERS.)

Hamlet: Speak the speech, I pray you, as I pronounced it to you lightly on the tongue. Do not wave your arms in the air, either. To show the force of your passion, you must contrast it with quiet. I hate to hear actors shouting and bawling; or running and jumping about. It is too much. It out-herods Herod.

Player King: Yes, sir.

Hamlet: On the other hand, do not be too meek. Let your own judgement guide you. Suit the word to the action, the action to the word, and especially remember this ; the modesty of nature. Too much or too little of anything is bad. A play should be a mirror held up to nature. If you overdo things. or drag them out. fools may laugh. but wise men will wince.

Player King: We will remember your advice.

(The actors prepare for the play. Enter Horatio.)

Hamlet: Will you watch the play ? ,

Horatio: Of course. What is it?

Hamlet: It's called the "Murder of Gonzago." The story is like the death of my father. Watch the king closely. If he seems embarrassed by the play, this will show his guilt. ,

Horatio: This is a test then ?

Hamlet: Right. Did the ghost tell the truth ? We must make sure.

(Enter CLAUDIUS, GERTRUDE, POLONIUS, OPHELIA and others.)

Hamlet: The play's the thing wherein we'll catch the conscience of the king.

(HAMLET bows low.)

Hamlet: Will you see the play, your majesty ?

Claudius: Yes, Hamlet, we will.

Gertrude: I love the theater.

Hamlet: You will love this play tonight.

Claudius: What is it?

Hamlet: A thriller ! Murder ! Blood everywhere !

Gertrude: Hamlet ! How awful !

Hamlet: Just in good humour, dear mother.

(He leads CLAUDIUS and GERTRUDE to seats. There is music, as all take seats and wait for play to begin.)

Polonius: How does your lordship feel tonight ?

Hamlet: Fine, fine, I eat the air. Delicious.

Gertrude (to CLAUDIUS) : Can you understand him ?

Claudius: No.

Hamlet (to Polonius) : You once acted at the university, my lord ?

Polonius: I did. I played Julius Caesar. I was killed at the Capitol. Brutus killed me.

Hamlet: It was a brutal part of him to kill so capital a calf.

(All groan at this bad joke.)

Gertrude: Come, Hamlet, sit by me.

Hamlet: No, mother. I'll sit here.

(Sits by OPHELIA.)

Polonius (to CLAUDIUS) : You see that ?

Hamlet: May I sit here ?

Ophelia: As you wish.

Hamlet: I wish to enjoy the play.

Ophelia: You seem happy already.

Hamlet: Why not ? Look how happy my mother is! And my father died only two hours ago.

Ophelia: No, no, my lord. it is four months or more.

Hamlet: Four months dead ? And not forgotten yet? Remarkable! Perhaps a very great man may be remembered for half a year ?

Ophelia: You are bitter, sir.

Gertrude: What play shall we see?

Hamlet: It is called the "Murder of Gonzago"

Claudius: Do you know the story ? Will it offend the ladies ?

Hamlet: Impossible! Gonzago is murdered by his wife's lover. Why should that offend anyone ? Poison as a joke.

(HAMLET looks at actors who are preparing. One man is painting his face.)

Come along now ! Stop fussing with your face ! Let's begin. Action !

( The PLAYERS now begin their play. It is a mime, so no one talks.)

(First, Gonzago, and wife enter. They embrace. Gonzago yawns. Sits on the bench. Lies down. His wife kisses him. He sleeps. His wife leaves the stage. Meets lover. They embrace. She points to Gonzago. Lover comes with a bottle. Pours something into Gonzago's ear. Gonzago awakes. Great pain. Turns and sees lover smiling at him. Gonzago dies. Falls on the floor. Lover places his foot on Gonzago's neck. Embraces wife. End.)

(All clap.)

Hamlet: Bravo! Bravo ! Now for some music!

(to CLAUDIUS)

A little poison in the ear ! The lover gets the dead man's wife ! No offence in that, eh ?

(HAMLET gestures as if pouring poison in king's ear. CLAUDIUS very nervous. Jumps up.)

Claudius: Stop ! Give me some light! ,

(CLAUDIUS takes a candle and rushes off. Confusion. All run about and exit. HAMLET and HORATIO remain.)

Hamlet (very excited) : You see ? You see ? The ghost spoke the truth !

Horatio: He did indeed, my lord.

Hamlet: Did king Claudius kill my father?

Horatio: He did.

Hamlet: Then revenge ! Revenge !

(HAMLET takes his sword. Enter POLONIUS.)

Polonius: My lord, a word.

Hamlet: Sir, a whole dictionary!

Polonius: The king has gone to his room, very upset.

Hamlet: With drink ?

Polonius: No, with anger.

Hamlet: Then talk to his doctor, not to me. If I help him, he may become worse.

Polonius: These are wild words, my lord.

Hamlet: Then I will tame them.

Polonius: The queen your mother has sent me to you .

Hamlet: What a nice surprise !

Polonius: You are sarcastic, my lord.

Hamlet: Me ? Never! But has no one told you? I am a little mad in the head.

Polonius: My lord, your mother wishes to speak with you.

Hamlet: Then I will speak with her.

Polonius: She is waiting in her room.

Hamlet: You see that cloud shaped like a camel ?

Polonius: Yes, perhaps it is a little like a camel.

Hamlet: Or perhaps more like a fox ?

Polonius: As you say, like a fox. ,

Hamlet: No, surely, it resembles a whale ?

Polonius: Very like a whale.

Hamlet: Then I will go to my mother.

(Exit HAMLET and HORATIO separately.)

SCENE 8

(Enter CLAUDIUS.)

Claudius: Hamlet was mad before, and is now dangerous. I will send him to England first thing tomorrow. Prepare the letters to the king of England

Polonius: I will, my lord.

Claudius: Where is he now ?

Polonius: He is going to his mother, my lord.

Claudius: Yes, she loves him dearly. We must be careful not to alarm her.

Polonius: I will prepare everything.

(Exit POLONIUS.)

Claudius (alone) : My offence is rank. Hamlet knows I murdered his father. What can I do? I am in danger.

(CLAUDIUS kneels and prays. Enter HAMLET, unseen by CLAUDIUS.),

Hamlet (taking sword) : Now might I do it.

(Holds sword above CLAUDIUS as if to kill him.)

No.

(Removes sword.)

If I do it while he is praying, then he goes to Heaven,

(Points up.)

While my poor father stays in hell.

(Points down.)

I must wait for a better time. I'll kill him when he is drinking, gambling or making love . . . then !

(Exit HAMLET.)

Claudius: My words fly up, but my thoughts remain below. Words without thoughts never to heaven go.

(Exit.)

SCENE 9

(Enter GERTRUDE and POLONIUS separately.)

Polonius: Madam, he is coming. Be firm with him. Speak strongly to him. Say the king is angry, and only you have saved him from punishment.

Hamlet (off) : Mother. Mother.

Polonius: Here is he. I will hide behind this curtain and listen.

Gertrude: Very well.

(GERTRUDE moves to back offstage. POLONIUS draws curtain. We see POLONIUS but not. GERTRUDE. POLONIUS stands listening.)

Hamlet (enters) : Mother. Mother.

Gertrude: Hamlet.

(HAMLET goes behind curtain; does not see POLONIUS.)

Gertrude: Hamlet, you have offended your father.

Hamlet: Mother, you have offended my father.

Gertrude: Come, come, you have a foolish tongue.

Hamlet: Go, go, you have a wicked tongue.

Gertrude: How dare you speak to your mother like that !

Hamlet: I have not forgotten. You are the Queen of Denmark. Your husband's brother's wife, and, unhappily, you are my mother.

Gertrude (exasperated) : Oh ! If you are in this mood, I cannot talk with you.

Hamlet: You can ! Sit down.

Gertrude (frightened) : Take your hands off me ! Will you murder me ? Help !

Polonius: Help ! Help !

Hamlet: What? A rat? Dead, for a ducat

(We see POLONIUS stagger and fall. The curtain opens, and HAMLET appears with sword.)

Gertrude: What have you done?

Hamlet: I don't know. Is it the king ?

��Click here to jump to the top of the next column.

Hamlet: Yes, bloody. As bad as to kill a king and marry his brother.

Gertrude: Kill a king ?

Gertrude: Clean my heart? Why ? What have I done ?

Hamlet (takes pictures) : Here are two brothers. One strong, honest, firm, a true husband, a good father, trustworthy, loving : a man ! The other...look at him. Oily, treacherous, scheming, jealous, a devil! Do you not blush ? How can you turn from this to this...and with such speed !

Gertrude (quietly) : Hamlet, you show me my own heart and all its badness.

Hamlet: How can you go to his hot and sweaty bed, kissing, playing, tumbling like pigs in a sty ?

Gertrude: No more ! Your words are like daggers in my ears ! No more, sweet Hamlet !

Hamlet: A murderer and a villain ! A slave, not one twentieth part of your former love, a thief who stole the crown and also you!

Gertrude: No more !

(Enter GHOST behind HAMLET.)

Hamlet: A king of threads and patches !

(Sees GHOST; falls on his knees.)

Save me ! What must I do !

Gertrude (not seeing GHOST) : Poor boy ! He is mad.

Hamlet (to GHOST) : Am I slow in revenge ? Must I hurry ?

Ghost: Do not forget. Yes, I have come to remind you that Claudius must be punished, but speak kindly to your mother. She is ashamed, that is enough. Love her.

Hamlet: How are you, mother ?

Gertrude: Oh, how are you, dear son? Why do you talk to the air ?

Hamlet: Look at him.

(Points to GHOST.)

Gertrude (looks about) : Where ?

Hamlet: Look.

Gertrude: I see nothing.

Hamlet: My father ! Your husband ! How pale and sad he is !

(GERTRUDE weeps, drops her head, puts out hand to HAMLET. The GHOST takes her hand but she does not see him.)

Hamlet: You see nothing ?

Gertrude: Nothing.

Hamlet: You hear nothing ?

Gertrude: Nothing. But I see everything there is, and I hear ourselves.

(GHOST releases her hand and exits.)

Hamlet: Look ! My father in his clothes, just as he used to be. :

(Exit GHOST.)

Gertrude (looks about) : Hamlet, you are dreaming. No one is here.

Hamlet: Even if you can't see him, then think of him. Think of him, and not of my uncle Claudius.

Gertrude: Hamlet, you split my heart in two.

Hamlet: Then throw away the worse part. Live with the pure. Do not go to my uncle's bed. Assume a virtue if you have it not. Sleep alone tonight. Tomorrow it will be easier to stay away. Each absence will help the next. Good night, mother. I must be cruel, only to be kind.

Gertrude: Oh my dear son.

Hamlet: Do not let the king touch you. No kisses, no honeyed words. No patting with his hands.

Gertrude: Oh Hamlet.

Hamlet: Good night, mother. Tomorrow I go to England.

Gertrude: Oh ! I forgot.

Hamlet: While I am away, remember what I say, and leave my uncle. Good night. I will take our friend to the next room. He used to talk, and talk, and talk, but now he is silent, silent, silent. Come, my good sir, if you are ready, let us go.

(Exit HAMLET, dragging body of POLONlUS.)

SCENE 10

(GERTRUDE is weeping. Enter CLAUDIUS and OSRIC.)

Claudius: Why are you crying, my dear Gertrude ?

Gertrude: Oh, I have just seen the most terrible thing.

Claudius: What ?

Gertrude: Hamlet. Mad as the wild seas. Polonius was standing behind the curtain. He made a sound. Hamlet stabbed him through the cloth.

Claudius: Polonius ?

Gertrude: Dead.

Claudius: Good Heavens ! Where is the body ?

Gertrude: Hamlet took it off.

Claudius (to OSRIC) : Bring Hamlet here.(Exit. OSRIC)He must go to England first thing tomorrow.The wild seas may calm him down.

Gertrude: Something must calm him. Poor Polonius !

Claudius: He is your loved son, Gertrude, but after this murder who is safe ?

(Exit GERTRUDE.)

Claudius (alone) : This is a lucky chance. As Hamlet has murdered the old man I have an excuse to send Hamlet away in a hurry. I will tell the king of England to have him killed. (Enter HAMLET and OSRIC.)Now, Hamlet, where is Polonius.

Hamlet: At supper.

Claudius: At supper ?

Hamlet: At supper. Not where he eats, but where he is eaten. A meeting of learned insects are even now busy with him. Your insects are your only kings of the table. We fatten all animals for ourselves, but we fatten ourselves for insects. Rich and poor, two dishes for the same table.

Claudius: What is this nonsense? Where is Polonius ?

Hamlet: In heaven. (Points up.) Send a messenger there for him. If the messenger cannot find him, then go to the other place yourself. (Points down.) But if you have not found him by next month, you will smell him easily enough over there.

(HAMLET points.)

Claudius (to OSRIC) : Go and look.

(Exit OSRIC.)

Hamlet: He will wait for you.

Claudius: You have murdered Polonius. I am sending you to England immediately. There is work for you there. Here you are in danger of punishment.

Hamlet: To England ?

Claudius: To England.

Hamlet: Good.

Claudius: The king must pay his taxes to us ; collect the money and bring it back here.

Hamlet: I will. Goodbye, dear mother.

Claudius: Your loving father, Hamlet.

Hamlet: My mother ! Father and mother is man and wife. Man and wife is one flesh. So, goodbye, mother. England !

(Exit HAMLET.)

Claudius (to OSRIC) ; Here are letters to the king of England. Take good care!

(OSRIC laughs, kisses hand of king, exits.)

Claudius (alone) : Goodbye, dearest Hamlet. We shall not meet again.

(CLAUDIUS laughs, exits.)

SCENE 11

(Enter GERTRUDE and HORATIO.)

Gertrude: I will not speak to her.

Horatio: Madam, I beg you. She is not herself.

Gertrude: I have enough trouble and worries without looking for more.

Horatio: You will pity her, madam, believe me. Her mind is breaking.

Gertrude: Her mind ? Oh, all right. Bring her in.

(Exit HORATIO.)Everything is getting more and more confused.

(Enter HORATIO with OPHELIA. Her clothes are dirty. Flowers are in her hair.)

Ophelia: Where is the beauteous majesty of Denmark ?

Gertrude (gasps) : Ophelia, how are you ?

Ophelia (sings) : "How should I your true love know ?

From another one?

By his cockle hat and staff

And his sandal shoon."

Gertrude: What does this mean ?

Ophelia: I haven't finished yet.

(sings)

“He is dead and gone, lady,

He is dead and gone.

At his head a grass-green turf,

At his heels a stone."

Gertrude: No, no, Ophelia.

Ophelia (sings) : "White his shroud as the mountain snow

Larded all with flowers

Which did weep upon the grave

With true-love showers.�

(Enter CLAUDIUS.)

Gertrude: My lord, look here.

Ophelia (sings) : "La, la, la, with flowers."

Claudius: How are you, dear Ophelia ?

Ophelia: Wonderful, wonderful.

Claudius: Her father's death has changed her.

Ophelia: Quiet, please ! I must sing.

(sings)

"Tomorrow is St. Valentine's Day

All in the morning betime

And I a maid at your window

To be your Valentine."

Claudius: No, no, Ophelia. Ophelia (sings) : "By Gis, and by St. Charity

Alack and fie for shame

Young men will do it, if they come to it,

By cock, they are to blame.

Quoth she ; Before you tumbled me

You promised me to wed."

(speaks)

He answers.

( sings)

"So would I have done, by yonder sun,

If you had not come to my bed."

Claudius (to HORATIO) : How long has she been like this ?

Horatio: Since her father died.

Ophelia: I hope all will be well. I must weep when I think of my poor father lying under the cold earth. My brother shall hear of it. My horse! Good night, ladies, good night, sweet ladies, good night, good night !

(Exit OPHELIA.)

Claudius: Follow her. See she does not hurt herself.

(Exit HORATIO.)

Claudius: Oh Gertrude, Gertrude, when sorrows come, they come in great numbers. Polonius is dead, and people say that I murdered him. Now Ophelia loses her mind. Her brother Laertes is coming back from Paris. Men tell him I killed his father and drove his sister mad. What will happen next?

(Noise off.)

What is this ?

Horatio (enters) : Run ! Save yourself!

Claudius: Why ? What do you mean?

Horatio: Laertes has come from France. Hundreds of men are outside with him, shouting"" Laertes shall be king".

Gertrude: King ! Laertes !

Horatio: Yes, they want a new king.

Gertrude (angry) : The false Danish dogs !

(She walks off shouting.)

Traitors ! How dare you shout for a new king !

Laertes (enters separately): Where is this king ?

(Turns to speak offstage.)Wait outside, my loyal friends.

(to CLAUDIUS)You vile king, give me my father!

Gertrude (enters) : Calm down, Laertes.

Laertes: Calmness would be treachery to my father.

(GERTRUDE. takes his arm.)

Claudius: What is the cause of this anger, Laertes ? Your father's death ? Let him go, Gertrude. Do not fear for me. God protects a king, and treason cannot come near. Speak, man.

Laertes: Where is my father ?

Claudius: Dead.

Gertrude: But not by him.

Laertes: Who killed my father, then ?

Claudius: Hamlet.

Laertes (surprised): Hamlet!

GertrudeYes, I am sorry to say, it was my son.

Laertes: Then I must have revenge. ,

(Enter OPHELIA. HORATIO follows her.)

I shall not sleep or eat until I find the murderer. Where is Hamlet ? I must learn the truth.

( Turns and sees OPHELIA.)

Kind sister, sweet Ophelia.

Ophelia (sings ignoring him): "They bore him barefaced on their bier

Hey non nonny, nonny, hey nonny;

And in his grave rained many a tear.. .

Laertes(astounded): Ophelia ! Can a young girl's mind die like an old man's body ?

Ophelia (giving flower to LAERTES) : There's rosemary; that's for remembrance.

(to GERTRUDE)

There's pansies; that's for thoughts.

(to CLAUDIUS)

There's fennel for you, and columbines.

(to HORATIO)

There's rue for you and some for me.

There's a daisy. I would give you some violets

but they all withered the day my father died.

They say he made a good end.

Laertes: Ophelia ! I am your brother.

Ophelia (ignoring him, sings) : "And will he come again ?

And will he come again ?

Go to your deathbed

He will never come again"

Never, never, never. God be with you.

(Exit OPHELIA. GERTRUDE and HORATIO follow. )

Laertes: Oh God, do you see this ?

Claudius: Laertes, you are like a son to me now. : We must be friendly again.

Laertes: My father dead, my sister mad...soon I will mad myself.

Claudius: It is a terrible story. Let me explain. I have sent Hamlet to England ; he is the cause of all this trouble. He told Ophelia to go to a nunnery, then he killed your father. I have a plan. Listen.

(CLAUDIUS walks off talking to LAERTES.)

SCENE 12

(Enter HORATIO and SAILOR, separately.)

Sailor: God bless you, sir.

Horatio: And god bless you, sir.

Sailor: Are you the lord Horatio ?

Horatio: I am he. Sailor : Then this letter is for you.

Horatio: A letter ?

Sailor: The ambassador to England sent it. I am his messenger.

Horatio: The ambassador to England ? That must be Hamlet.

Sailor: Here is another for the king.

Horatio (points) : The king is that way.

Sailor: Thank you sir.

(Exit SAILOR.)

Horatio : A letter from Hamlet !

(He reads.) "Horatio, I am again in Denmark. I took the ship for England, but we were attacked. Pirates have brought me to Denmark again, but I have to pay them gold. I expect to see you in Elsinore again soon after you receive this letter. He that you know to be yours, Hamlet." Stranger and stranger !

(Exit.)

SCENE 13

(Enter CLAUDIUS and LAERTES talking secretly. Enter SAILOR, separately.)

Claudius: What's this ?

Laertes (takes letter) : It is a letter for you, my lord.

Claudius: From whom ? ,

Sailor: From the ambassador to England, my lord.

Claudius (very pleased) : Leave us.

(Exit SAILOR.)

This will be good news. I sent Hamlet to England, and told the king there to let him die as soon as possible. Let's see what happened.

(He reads.)"High and mighty, our ship was attacked, at sea. I am again in Denmark and will soon come to see you. I shall explain the cause of this unexpected return. Hamlet."

Laertes: Then Hamlet is not dead !

Claudius (angry) :No. He is not even in England. This is some trick.

Laertes: Did Hamlet write this letter?

Claudius: It looks like it.

Laertes: Then this is good news. If he is alive, I can revenge my father.

Claudius: True.

Laertes (gestures with sword): Revenge ! When I see him I shall say, "You did this", and then he follows my father.

Claudius: If you feel like that, Laertes, I can not stop you.

Laertes: No one shall stop me.

Claudius: Hamlet is rather jealous of you.

Laertes: Jealous of me ? Why ?

Claudius: He thinks he is good at fencing. He loves to play with a sword. But someone came here and told us that you were famous for fencing in Paris.

Laertes: Who said that?

Claudius: I forget his name. He lived in Normandy, I think.

Laertes: Ah ! Lamound.

Claudius : Yes, it was Lamound.

Laertes: He was my teacher. The finest fighter in France.

Claudius: That's what made Hamlet so jealous. He said he longed to try the sport with you. "

Laertes: Then I shall fight him as soon as he comes.

Claudius: Did you love your father, Laertes ?

Laertes: Did I !

Claudius: Then at this sport you can find your revenge. You shall have a special sword, and kill Hamlet with it.

Laertes: That is not sport.

Claudius: It is revenge.

Laertes: Then I'll do it. And on the sword, I will put poison.

Claudius: So Hamlet will die two deaths.

Laertes: One for my father, and one for my poor sister's madness.

Claudius: And one more ! I shall prepare a cup of poisoned wine. When he is hot, he will drink, and die again.

Laertes (very pleased) : Three deaths!�Yes excellent !

(Enter GERTRUDE.)

Gertrude: Laertes, your sister is dead.

Laertes: Dead ?

Gertrude: Drowned.

Claudius: But where ?

Gertrude: There is a willow grows aslant a brook. Ophelia was looking for flowers. She climbed the tree over the water, and fell in. Still singing, she drifted along in the stream, and at last slid under, singing, to her death.

Laertes: She is dead ?

Gertrude: Dead.

Laertes (very quiet) : Water killed her, and I have a speech of fire but I cannot make it now.

(Exit. )

Claudius: We must follow him. He, too, may harm himself.

(Exit CLAUDIUS and GERTRUDE.)

SCENE 14

(Enter GRAVE DIGGER ; on one side is a grave marked "POLONIUS ", with dead flowers. DIGGER starts a new grave, singing.)

DIGGER (singing) : "In youth when I did love, did love

Methought it was very sweet

To contract, O, the time, for ah, my behove ,

Methought there was nothing so sweet".

(Enter HAMLET and HORATIO.)

Hamlet: Look ! This fellow is digging a grave, yet he sings !

Horatio: He does it every day so there is no horror in it.

Digger (not seeing them, sings) : "But age with stealing steps

Has clasped me in his clutch

And shipped me down into the land

As if I had never been such".

(He throws up a skull.)

Hamlet (points to skull) : A skull ! That also had a tongue once and could sing.

Horatio: Certainly, my lord.

Hamlet: Or perhaps a courtier ; "Your lordship is right welcome back to Denmark".

(HORATIO laughs.)

Hamlet: "Sweet lord, if your lordship were at leisure, I would impart a thing unto your lordship" and, so, waves his hat above his skull.

(HORATIO laughs.)

Digger (sings) : "A pick-axe and a spade, a spade

For a shrouding sheet,

O, a pit of clay is to be made

For such a guest is meet".

(Throws up another skull.)

Hamlet: Another !

(HORATIO holds skull.)

Hamlet: A lawyer, perhaps. Where are your tricks now, eh ? Where are your cunning and your wit? The digger throws your bones about; you must sue for battery! You became rich, my friend, and bought houses and land. But what do you have today ?

(HORATIO tips skull, dirt falls out.)

Hamlet: This. A handful of dust.

Horatio: The end.

(Puts down skull.)

Hamlet (to DIGGER) : Whose grave is this, sir ?

Digger: Mine, sir.

(sings)

"A pit of clay is to be made.

For such a guest is meet".

Hamlet: I think it must be your grave ; you lie in it.

Digger: You lie out of it, so it cannot be yours. It is true I lie in it, but it is not mine.

Hamlet: But the grave is for the dead, not for the living ; therefore you lie.

Digger: If I stand, how can I lie ?

Hamlet (laughs): The man's a lawyer ! For what man, sir, do you dig this grave ?

Digger: For no man.

Hamlet: For what woman, then?

Digger: For no woman.

Hamlet: Who is to be buried here, then?

Digger: One that was a woman, but, unhappily, has died.

(HAMLET and HORATIO laugh.)

Hamlet: How long have you been a grave digger, sir.

Digger: How long? I started that same day the late king Hamlet beat the Norwegian army.

Hamlet: And when was that ?

Digger: Don't you know ? Every body knows. It was the same day his son, young Hamlet, was born.

Hamlet: His son's birthday !

Digger: Yes, the prince Hamlet who is mad and gone to England.

Hamlet: Why did he go to England ?

Digger: To see a doctor, I suppose. But if the doctor doesn't cure him, it makes no difference.

Hamlet: And why ?

Digger: No one will notice his madness in England. There, the men are all as mad as he.

Hamlet. : In that case I suppose you have been to England yourself!

Digger: Never. For thirty years I have been digging graves here in Denmark. I've been in the graves longer than this fellow.

( Takes up skull.)

Hamlet: What was his name ?

Digger: A mad one he was ! We used to drink and sing together. This devil once poured a whole bottle of wine over my head! Don't you know him ?

Hamlet: How could I know him ?

Digger: This was Yorick. The king's jester.

Hamlet (amazed; taking skull) : This ? Yorick ?

Digger: Right.

Hamlet: Alas, poor Yorick. I knew him, Horatio. A fellow of infinite jest. As a small boy, I used to ride on his back. I kissed his face a thousand times...but where is his face now ? Where are your jokes ? Where are your songs ? Where are the stories that set the table on a roar ? Horatio, did Alexander of Greece look like this ?

Horatio: Of course.

Hamlet: And smell so? Pew!

Horatio: Naturally. .

Hamlet: And where is Alexander now ? There !

(He throws dust into air, and watches it fall.)

From dust we come, and to dust we return.

(A bell sounds.)

What's this ?

Horatio: People are coming.

Hamlet: Then let's hide.

(They hide.)

Horatio: Probably they will bury some one in this grave.

Hamlet: Very likely. Look. The king and queen !

(Enter CLAUDIUS, GERTRUDE, LAERTES and others, carrying body of OPHELIA. Silently, she is put into grave. The bell continues.)

Gertrude (throws flowers over body) : Sweets to the sweet.

Hamlet (to HORATIO) : Who has died ?

Horatio: I can't see.

Gertrude: I hoped to put flowers on your marriage bed. I hoped you would marry my Hamlet.

Hamlet: Very strange.

Laertes: Stop. Do not throw on the earth until I have kissed her once more. Ophelia!

Hamlet: Ophelia !

Laertes (jumps into grave) : Now throw the earth on both of us. Bury Ophelia and her wretched brother.

Hamlet (coming forward; all astonished) : What is he whose grief bears such an emphasis ? It is I, Hamlet the Dane. (HAMLET jumps into grave.)

Laertes : Then, let this be your grave also.

(LAERTES attacks HAMLET.)

Hamlet (.doing nothing) : Kindly take your fingers from my throat.

Claudius: Separate them !

(OSRIC pulls back LAERTES.)

Hamlet: Is Ophelia dead ? You say you loved her ? It was I who loved her. Forty thousand brothers could not begin to equal my love for Ophelia. What did you do for her, Laertes ? Weep ! I would fight ! I would drink poison. Bury me with her. Throw millions of acres on us. Ophelia, Ophelia, I have come.

(HAMLET kisses dead body. LAERTES frees himself from OSRIC and attacks HAMLET. They fight. HORATIO pulls HAMLET back. OSRIC pulls LAERTES back.)

Hamlet: Why do you do this, Laertes ? I always loved you.

Claudius: Take them away. Gertrude, go home.

(GERTRUDE exits. CLAUDIUS and LAERTES, OSRIC leave together. HAMLET and HORATIO sit down at the side. GRAVE DIGGER continues to finish grave, singing as before. He tidies up, and walks off, singing.)

SCENE 15

Horatio: The king wants to know why you are in Denmark.

Hamlet: It's a strange story. As I told you, the ship was attacked, and the pirates brought me home because they wanted money. :

Horatio: You were lucky.

Hamlet: I was. They might have murdered me. But before that, something far more interesting happened. The first night at sea, I was sitting with the captain. He fell asleep. There were letters near him. I looked at them. One was addressed to the king of England. I opened it. What did I find ! Orders from my loving uncle Claudius to kill me !

Horatio: To kill you !

Hamlet: Yes. Here is the letter. Look. (HAMLET gives the letter to Horatio, who reads.)

Horatio: Murder is everywhere.

Hamlet: And I am to blame. The ghost told me to seek revenge, and I have still not done so. But I must and I will, I will, I will.

(Enter OSRIC.)

Hamlet (to HORATIO) : Do you know this mosquito ?

Horatio: No, my lord.

Hamlet: Then you haven't caught his disease, I hope.

Osric: Your lordship is right welcome back to Denmark.

Hamlet: I humbly thank you, sir.

Osric: Sweet lord, if your lordship were at leisure, I would impart a thing unto your lordship.

(OSRIC fans himself with hat.)

Hamlet: Explain, sir

Osric: A message from the king.

Hamlet: Then I will receive it. Put your hat to its right use, sir. It is for the head.

Osric: I thank your lordship, but it is somewhat hot.

Hamlet: No, believe me, it is chilly.

Osric: Indeed, it is somewhat cold.

Hamlet: And yet too hot for me.

Osric: Very hot. What shall I say?

Hamlet: I do not know.

Osric: His majesty wishes me to say he has made a bet.

Hamlet: A what?

Osric: A bet, sir, a gamble, a wager.

Hamlet: So ?

Osric: The lord Laertes, sir, has returned from Paris. He loves to use his sword. He fences with it.

Hamlet: Indeed?

Osric: The king has bet six horses he cannot beat you.

Hamlet: Beat me ? I am not so good.

Osric: His majesty says you are, sir, and the lord Laertes jealously desires to test you.

Hamlet: Sword ?

Osric: Sword and dagger.

Hamlet: What if I refuse ?

Osric: I beg you, sir, for your honour !

Hamlet (to HORATIO) : What do you think?

Horatio: Don't do it.

Hamlet: I like fencing with a sword.

Horatio: Then later perhaps. Today you are tired.

Osric: Laertes may soon return to France.

Hamlet: Oh, well. Tell his majesty, I am walking here. If Laertes cares to come, with swords, I will do what I can. If I win, the king keeps his horses. If I lose, I gain only my shame and the odd hits.

Osric: Then shall I tell the king you agree?

Hamlet: You may, sir. And I beg you, put your hat where it may do the most good.

(HAMLET puts OSRIC'hat on OSRIC'head. Exit OSRIC.)

Horatio (very serious) : You will lose this fight.

Hamlet (not serious) : Oh, I don't know. I practice nearly every day.

Horatio: You kill his father ; harm his sister ; he now wants to fight? This is sport? No, I think not.

Hamlet: Don't worry, Laertes and I have been friends for many years.

SCENE 16

(Enter GERTRUDE.)

Hamlet: My good mother.

Gertrude: Hamlet, will you and Laertes fight?

Hamlet: Perhaps.

Gertrude: Then first apologise. He loved his father, as you loved yours. You both behaved badly.

Hamlet (ashamed) : It is true. I did insult him. His unhappiness is like my own, you know, Horatio.

(Enter CLAUDIUS, LAERTES, OSRIC and others.)

Claudius: Come Hamlet, take this hand from me.

(Puts HAMLET's hand into LAERTES' hand.)

Hamlet: Give me your pardon, sir, as you are a gentleman. I have done you wrong. Did Hamlet wrong Laertes ? No, indeed. My mind has been unsettled lately, as perhaps you know. Hamlet harmed Laertes by mistake. I shot my arrow over the house and hit the brother I could not see. Forgive me.

Laertes: As a man, I am satisfied.

Hamlet: Thank you.

Laertes: But as my family, my name and my reputation are concerned, further satisfaction is necessary.

Hamlet: I understand. Let us fight. As brothers let us fight.

Claudius: Give them the swords.

(OSRIC offers an armload of swords.)

Claudius: Hamlet is fighting for me, Osric, so make sure he gets the best one.

Hamlet (takes a sword) : They are all the same !

Laertes (takes a sword) : No, this is too light. Give me another.

Hamlet: Perfect.

Laertes (changing swords) Now, the fight !

( They prepare to fight. OSRIC is judge. Others watch.)

Claudius: Before you start, I drink to Hamlet.

Claudius (takes the cup and drinks) : And here is my ring, on it a pearl of great price. If Hamlet wins, he shall drink the wine, and the pearl in it !

Hamlet: Thank you.

Gertrude (laughing) : So you must win !

Hamlet: I will, mother.

Osric: Are you ready ?

Hamletand Laertes : Yes.

Osric: Begin.

( They fight.)

Hamlet: A hit!

Laertes: No.

Hamlet: Judgement ?

Osric: A hit, a very palpable hit.

Laertes: Again, then.

Osric: Begin.

( They fight. )

Hamlet: Another hit.

Laertes: Yes, I am afraid so.

Claudius: Our son shall win. ,

Gertrude: He is fat and short of breath. Hamlet, come here and let me wipe your face.

(HAMLET kneels by mother. She wipes his face.)

Gertrude: So wet !

(GERTRUDE takes the cup.)

See ! The queen carouses to your good fortune, Hamlet !

(She drinks.)

Claudius (to GERTRUDE, urgently) : Gertrude, do not drink. ,

Gertrude: I will, my lord ! My son is winning !

Claudius (to himself) Too late! It is the poisoned cup.

Laertes: Come Hamlet!

Hamlet: I must continue.

Osric: Begin.

( They fight. LAERTES wounds HAMLET. HAMLET looks at the wound in surprise. They fight more earnestly.)

Laertes: A hit.

Osric: No, nothing, neither way.

(They fight fiercely. Both swords are thrown into air. HAMLET catches both. Examines tips. Shows them to HORATIO. LAERTES gestures to receive his sword, but HAMLET forces him to accept the other. They fight again.)

Claudius: Stop them. They are too violent.

(HORATIO drags back HAMLET, OSRIC drags back Laertes.)

Hamlet: No! No! Again.

(GERTRUDE falls to the floor.)

Hamlet: How is the queen ?

Claudius: She faints to see them bleed.

Gertrude: No, no, the drink. Oh my dear Hamlet, the drink. I am poisoned. (She dies.)

Hamlet: Oh villainy ! Let the doors be locked ? Treachery ! Seek it out!

(LAERTES falls to floor. )

Laertes (on floor) : It is here, Hamlet. The sword. It is poisoned. I am killed by my own treachery. And Hamlet, you also are dead. Your mother was poisoned, too. The king ! The king's to blame !

Hamlet: The sword is poisoned, too ? Then, poison, do your work.(HAMLET looks at king, who shrinks back. HAMLET is weak from poison, so drops sword and collapses against HORATIO. The king is surprised and laughs. He moves back laughing, trips over body of dead queen. HORATIO helps HAMLET to stand. HAMLET beckons to king. King is lying on ground. He now crawls to HAMLET.)

Hamlet (in weak but clear voice) : Here, thou incestuous, murderous damned Dane. Drink off this poison. Follow my mother. (HAMLET holds the cup to king's mouth, as if helping a sick man. King drinks and chokes. King turns his head. HAMLET pours poison in king's ear. King dies.)

Laertes: He is justly served. Forgive me, noble Hamlet. My death shall not be held against you ; your death shall not be held against me.

Hamlet: I forgive you, Laertes. Goodbye.

(LAERTES dies.)

Hamlet: I am dead, Horatio. Wretched queen, adieu. You that look pale and tremble at this chance, I could tell you...but I cannot. Clear the guilt from my name, Horatio. Absent thee from felicity awhile, and tell my story. The rest is silence.

(HAMLET dies.)

Horatio: Now cracks a noble heart. Good night, sweet prince, and flights of angels sing thee to thy rest. Let four captains carry him away, for he was likely to have proved most royally. Let soldiers' music and the rites of war speak loudly for him.

(A drum beat begins. The bodies are carried off stage. HAMLET last. The final figure to leave the stage shows us his face, a skull.)

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ** * * * * * * * *

"HAMLET: THE PRINCE OF DENMARK"

PLACE : the King's palace in Elsinore, Denmark

TIME : the distant past

ACTORS: 9 men, 2 women

PEOPLE IN THE PLAY

KING CLAUDIUS, new king of Denmark

Q]UEEN GERTRUDE, widow of KING HAMLET

HAMLET, son of GERTRUDE. nephew of CLAUDIUS

POLONIUS, counselor to King

LAERTES, son to POLONIUS

OPHELIA, daughter to POLONIUS

HORATIO, friend of HAMLET

SAILOR

GRAVE DIGGER

GHOST OF KING HAMLET

OSRIC

CROWD